CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The
nation Nigeria has witnessed brutal confrontation and massive assault from
terrorist group which is undoubtedly the most blood-thirsty and destructive,
both in terms of brutality mindless of the savagery and flagrant disobedience
to the principles of peace and stability. Nigeria has witnessed insurgency from
this terrorist group called Boko-Haram from 2009. They have unleashed terror
and fear in the minds of every Nigerian. There is massive destruction of
government’s properties, burning of schools, bombing/burning of churches,
mosques and other public places.
Historically,
Borno State, which was founded in 1971 initially comprised the present Borno
State and Yobe State. Prior to the advent of insurgency, has been relatively
peaceful, multicultural and dynamic state in Nigeria. The state is fortunate to
have human and natural resources which has created many opportunities for its
indigenes and other Nigerians to live in harmony. Borno State started
experiencing the global trend of insurgency from 2009 (Adamu, 2014). Which led
to the gruesome killings of innocent Nigerian citizens perpetrated by an
insurgent group called Boko Haram (Adamu, 2014). Since 2009, they have
disrupted educational system in Borno State with huge negative effects on basic
education. The insurgent group dislikes children attending schools and also
commit criminal offences ranging from kidnapping of school pupils and attacking
teachers in schools (Adeyemi, 2014). There is major destruction of schools
activities in the state. In the recent past, they used under aged girls to carry
out suicide bombing of major shopping malls, cinema halls and bus terminals.
Moreso, abduction of school children and the elderly were also common in their
recent styles of mindless attacks.
1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Empathically,
many basic schools in Borno State and other northern states had experienced
several attacks from the insurgent group. Some basic schools especially in Baga
towns in northern part of Borno State have been closed down for two (2) years
(BSMOE, 2015). The problem could be traced down to when the Boko Haram group
used religion to set up rules in the community unnoticed, advanced it with
violence to the state level and metamorphous into an insurgent group and
disturbed the peace of the state.
More
so, basic education in Borno state have been experiencing serious problem prior
to the insurgence, there were shortage of classes for teaching and learning,
shortage of instructional materials and teachers (NUT, 2007). This has
indicated that basic school is underfunded by the state government, lack of
payment of teachers’ salary which led to frequent strike by basic school teachers
are also a concern to many families (NUT, 2008). Moreover, while the state is
struggling to overcome the existing problems, insurgent came in as a bigger
challenge to the state, which now posed as a threat to many parents and
children of school age in Borno State.(NTA 2015)
1.3
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The
purpose of this study is to find out if the activities of the Boko Haram have a
direct effect on basic education in Nigeria, especially Borno. And also to draw
the attention of the authority to the damaging effects of Boko Haram attacks on
education in the northern Nigeria. It calls on Boko Haram and other unknown
gunmen to immediately cease all attacks on schools and educational facilities
as it is affecting the achievement of Education for All (EFA) by 2015.
1.4
RESEARCH QUESTION
1. What
is the effect of insurgency on school attendance among pupils/students in
the area affected?
2. Has
insurgency affected basic education in Borno State?
3. What
is the effect of insurgency on the performance of teachers in Borno State?
1.5
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The
study is guided by this research hypothesis;
Hypothesis
One
HO There
is no significant difference in school attendance among male and female,
pupils/students in areas are prone to Boko Haram attacks in Northern Nigeria.
HI
There is significant difference in school attendance among male and female,
pupils/students in areas prone to Boko Haram attacks in Northern Nigeria.
Hypothesis
Two
HO There
is no significant relationship between book haram insurgency and basic
education in borno state
HI
There is significant relationship between book haram insurgency and basic
education in borno state
Hypothesis
Three
HO
There is no significant in school attendance among primary/secondary schools in
areas that are prone to Boko Haram attacks in Northern Nigeria.
HI
There is significant in school attendance among primary/secondary schools in
area that are prone to Boko Haram attacks in Northern Nigeria.
1.6
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The
study investigated effects of insurgency on universal basic education in Borno
State and other Northern states in Nigeria. The study also examines the effect
of insurgent activities such as abduction of pupils and attacks on teachers in
basic schools of Borno State.
1.7
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
relevance of the study is to provide an applicable solution to the effect of
this insurgency on basic education in Borno State and other Northern States in
Nigeria.
The
researcher is prepared to conduct this study and have a researchable solution
to the effect of insurgency on basic education in Nigeria.
The
outcome of this study will be of considerable benefits to education, also serve
as an insight for other countries to study the situation in Nigeria and avert
any pre-insurgency activities in their nations.
1.8
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This
study is primarily limited by time and distance between the researcher and
respondents. The researcher had the obligated responsibility of attending
lectures and writing this project. Time was rather limited.
Insufficient
funding also posed difficulties in the course of this study as a self-sponsored
student without financial assistance from friends and relatives.
The
study was also limited by lack of current literature in the polytechnic
library. The researcher has to source vastly for information with which this
study was carried out.
Irrespective
of these limitations, the researcher did his best to overcome these limiting
factors, therefore, the reliability and authority of this research should not
be underserved by its potential users.
1.9
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
In
order to ensure clarity of terms and the understanding of the meaning of some
important terms used in the study, the following operational definitions are
given;
Education: Education
can be defined as a tool for building a united, independent, wealthy
egalitarian society which is capable of maintaining the traditions and value
(Adesina, Fegbongbe&Talabi, 1983).
Basic
Education: Basic education can be as the beginning of acquisition of
desirable skill, knowledge and attitude in a formal school
system.
Universal: Universal
can be defined as the programme that is meant for all arms of the society such
as the poor and the rich, the physically challenged and all the school dropouts
people in Borno State.
Insurgency: An
insurgency is a rebellion against a constituted authority.
Insurgent: A
person who rises in forcible opposition to lawful authority, especially a
person who engages in armed resistance to a government or to the execution of
its law.
Boko
Haram: The term “Boko Haram” come from the Hausa word book meaning
“western education” and the Arabic word Haram figuratively meaning sin
(literally “forbidden”). The name loosely translated from Hausa means Western
Education is forbidden.
School: A
school can be defined as an institution for the instructions of children or
people under college age.