Let us define quantitative education as an education whose worth or value is assessed only in terms of number of schools, pupils and teachers. Also, let us define 'qualitative education' as an educational programme whose worth or value is assessed in terms of quality or standard. For example, a government which establishes a large number of primary and secondary schools and staffs them with a mixture of qualified and unqualified staff provides only quantitative education for its people. In such schools, library facilities, teaching aids and equipment would be most inadequate.
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On the other hand, a government that opens only a few primary and secondary schools and provides them with highly qualified teachers as well as adequate equipment, teaching aids and library facilities provides qualitative education for its people. The standard of education provided here would be higher than the one provided under quantitative education. Generally, the promotion of quality in primary and secondary education will depends largely on such factors as teacher - preparation and commitment, curriculum offering and their relevance, adequate equipment - and teaching aids, school management and administration, guidance and counselling and quality control.
The Federal government is both concerned with quantity as well as quality in education at all levels. This is why federal government pays the salaries of teachers in the primary school. At the secondary school level, all state governments took over control of the secondary schools all over the country, and they are model schools for quality education. Very importantly, state and federal governments has colleges of education, polytechnics and universities under their control. This is because the government believes that education is an effective tool of changing the learning and social outlook of the nation and this has to be done both qualitatively and quantitatively.
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Now, how can educators achieve the goal of qualitative and quantitative education in the school system? Firstly, this can be done through effective teacher preparation. All over the world, it is accepted that no nation can rise above the quality of her teachers. The better the teachers are trained, the better the quality of education. If teachers are well trained in large numbers, then quantity and quality have been achieved.
Secondly, teachers should be more committed to their work. When teachers are committed to their work, they want to help their learners in their personal problems. They know their students' interest and help them to develop these interests. This way the learners know better and perform better. Quality education is achieved. If most teachers do this, then we have the advantage of quantity.
Again, the subjects which are taught in the schools should be made more relevant to the lives of learners. While we can emphasize commercial subjects in city schools, we can Encourage agriculture in rural schools and animal care in places where there is plenty of cattle. This way, learning Becomes very interesting and meaningful to learners. Finally, we can Encourage quality and quantity education through the way we manage our schools. School teachers should learn how to provide simple teaching aids which would make learning more interesting for their pupils. School administrator should encourage their teachers to improve themselves through in - service training like the N. T. I. by DLS. This way, many teachers are retrained to know the needs of their pupils and how to help them. As a nation, Nigeria will in this way derive quantitative and qualitative benefits from education.
Thank you and have a bless day.
