The Challenge of Rural Education: Issues of Environment and Shortage of Educators in Nigeria

Education is becoming fundamental to development as it plays a very critical role in securing economy, improving income distribution and enhancing social progress. However, there are numerous challenges militating against formal education in several rural areas of Nigeria. In view of these, the potential gaps, constraints, and the needs of rural education will be discussed in this paper. In particular, this paper will address the issues associated with demand and supply of educators, educators' development and education environment. It will also explore the future trend and channel possible course of action for rural education, with measures to help ensure proper rural education, and safeguard against possible problems which may emanate from rural educators. It will as well deal with the issue of creating an enabling environment for rural education. Secondary data would be examined and analyzed for further recommendations.

Education is becoming fundamental to development as it plays a very crucial role in securing economy, improving income distribution and enhancing social progress. However, there are numerous challenges militating against formal education in several rural areas of Nigeria. In view of these, the potential gaps, constraints, and needs of rural education will be discussed in this paper. In particular, this paper will address issues associated with demand and supply of rural educators, educators’ development, cultural context of education, and rural education environment. It will also explore the future trend and channel possible course of actions for rural education, with measures to help ensure proper rural education, and safeguard against possible problems which may emanate from the rural educators. It will as well deal with the issue of creating an enabling environment for rural education. Secondary data would be examined and analysed for further recommendations.