Fresh Thinking in Nigeria’s Educational Management

Title: Global Trends in Management of Secondary Schools: A Practical Guide
Author: Lami Amodu, PhD
Publisher: Spotlite Images Limited
Year of Publication: 2019
Pages: 177
Reviewer: Theophilus Abbah, PhD

Introduction

Global Trends in Management of Secondary Schools: A Practical Guide is written by Dr. Lami Amodu, an esteemed educationist whose career spans various leadership roles in Nigeria’s education sector. She has served as Principal at Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko, Queens College, Lagos, and Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi. Additionally, she held the position of Director of Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education.

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The book is a reflection of her extensive experience as a policymaker and implementer during her 36-year career in the Nigerian Ministry of Education. It provides a critical evaluation of the philosophy underpinning secondary school education in Nigeria and presents actionable strategies to align Nigeria’s system with global trends in science and technology.

Legal Framework and Policy Challenges

The first three chapters establish the legal framework governing Nigeria’s education system. The author guides the reader through the Fundamental Objectives of Education as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Each objective is interpreted, explaining its relevance to secondary school students.

Dr. Amodu also highlights the laws guiding secondary education in Nigeria and examines the obstacles preventing their effective implementation. By delving into these foundational issues, she offers a practical perspective shaped by her experience as an educator navigating both the successes and challenges of policy implementation.

Challenges in Secondary Education Policies

A central question the book addresses is: Why are Nigeria’s secondary education policies not yielding the desired results? Chapters 4 to 12 explore this concern, analyzing how certain policies fail due to misalignment with cultural realities.

One example is the Musical Chair Syndrome, a term used by the author to describe how frequent leadership changes in education ministries disrupt policy continuity. She writes:

“The game of musical chair is best illustrated by the frequent changes of political leadership of education ministries… Each new minister comes not to ensure continuity and consolidation of past achievements – but to carve a niche through ‘brand’ new reforms leading to the derailing of policy implementation.”

Although these reforms are often introduced with good intentions, many inadvertently hinder teaching and learning rather than improving student outcomes.

Solutions and Best Practices in Educational Management

While the book highlights challenges, it is not merely an account of problems—it also provides practical solutions. Several chapters focus on corrective measures, including:

• Principal as Teacher and Mentor
• Teacher as Motivator and Enforcer
• Students’ Learning Environment and Teachers’ Working Conditions
• Student Discipline and Character Education
• Vice Principal and Principal’s Delegation of Responsibilities

Additional relevant chapters explore topics such as:

• Making a Difference in Parent-Teacher Associations
• Management of Organizational Conflicts
• Guidance and Counselling: Self-Management, Drug Abuse, and Cultism

These sections outline key strategies for improving secondary education, emphasizing the roles of administrators, teachers, and student discipline.

In the Foreword, Professor Uduogie M.O. Ivowi—former Executive Secretary of NERDC and past President of the Nigerian Academy of Education—praised the book’s “frank and forthright discussion” on pressing issues in Nigeria’s education sector. He expressed confidence that secondary school educators and students of educational management will find it highly valuable.

Dr. Amodu has played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s education system, serving in several capacities:

• World Bank Assisted Education Projects Implementation Unit (WBPIU)
• Technical Education Project and National Primary Education Project II
• Home-Grown School Feeding and Health Programme (HGSFHP)
• Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)
• Head of Federal Inspectorate Services (FIS), now Federal Education Quality Assurance Services (FEQAS)

She retired in 2019 as the Director of Basic and Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education.

Global Trends in Management of Secondary Schools is Dr. Amodu’s second book, following her educational autobiography, Thorns of Success: Reminiscences of an Educationist.

Conclusion

Dr. Amodu’s book serves as both an insightful analysis and a practical guide for addressing challenges in Nigeria’s secondary education system. It is a must-read for policymakers, educators, and students of educational management seeking to implement effective strategies and align the nation’s education sector with global advancements.