DEMOCRATIZATION, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION IN TWO (2) LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS IN BRITAIN AND NIGERIA

Abdur-Rahman Olalekan Olayiwola

Department of Political Science

Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses attention on a theme that is as old as mankind, as current as today’s pre-occupation and as relevant to our future as a people. It is universal in the sense that the theme is not peculiarly Nigerian or British, but something that is the preoccupation of the whole world. Democratization, the process of becoming a “democracy”, is spreading its wave throughout the world in a slow, gradual, long-term historical process. It is a broad phenomenon, which is not only political, but also economic and social. Good governance is also of paramount importance the world over because it has to do with the welfare, happiness and good life for the citizens, maintenance of law and order, freedom and human rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity and relating with regional and international communities on the level of mutual respectability among a host of other characteristics. In the same vein, throughout the world, education is seen as an investment that can help speed up national development. The paper compares and contrasts political and social issues in education in two Local Government Councils in Britain and Nigeria. As a substantial piece of work, this study makes a significant and original contribution to an understanding of politics and education in the Nigerian and British societies. In a lively and original way the paper demonstrates how political and social pressures become the predominant determinants of how education is administered and raises issues of fundamental importance to an understanding of politics and education in the Nigerian and British society, especially at the local government level. The paper combines facts discovered by the author during his research in Britain and practical role as a British Local Councillor for many years and chair of Southwark London Borough Council Committees on Licensing, Secure Accommodation Review Panel and under 8’S Committees on Education Leisure and Social Services. London Councillor Dr. Olayiwole also served on Committee on Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development, Equalities Social Services, Education, Housing, Community Development and chaired Borough and bankside Community Council in London to mention just a few . The author also conducted researches in the Egbeda Local Government of the Pace Setter State of Oyo in the South West Geo-political zone of Nigeria as an indigene of Elelu village in the area with insights which add to an understanding of the role of political and social issues in education in the two councils of the two countries compared. The paper concludes that as it obtains in Britain, the Nigerian constitution needs to be amended to make education free and compulsory especially at primary and secondary school levels. It further recommends that the issues of inadequate funding; defective school education institutions premises and environment; the limitation to the use of English as the only language of education; the non-challant indifferent family, private sector and non-governmental organizations’ inputs in education, and the ubiquitous role of the mass media of communication in education need to be addressed urgently. The process by which quality