IWF

Author(s):
MUHAMMADU MUKHTAR Muhammadu Thani., abuubada14@gmail.com, +234 806 017 9394

Abstract: Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a whole has been and remains a major talking point since its inception. These goals are eight in number and cut across several fields with the quest for achieving Universal Primary Education (UPE) being the second on the list with each countries and states being at liberty to adopt modalities that will suit the achievement of the goal as the condition warrants. Kwara State of Nigeria just like other states embarked on the voyage of achieving this goal through construction of new classes, renovation of old buildings and establishment of Early Child Care Centres (ECCC) in public schools. As laudable as this may seem, it is really saddening to know that the effort has been blemished with fundamental flaws which had adverse effect and in turn jeopardized the effort put towards achieving Universal Primary Education in the State. The aim of this work is to juristically appraise the effort and achievement of Kwara State government concerning the goal two of the MDGs on education and propose viable Islamic options. The MDGs might have theoretically ended in 2015, but education remains a continuous process that should be pursued to a reasonable and valued completion. Therefore this work becomes pertinent while providing viable options that will pave way for future related programmes and the sustainability of Universal Primary Education. The combination of empirical research method and descriptive analysis technique was adopted for this work. It was found out that the goal has not been adequately achieved due to misplacement of priority of the education sector, project politicization, mismanagement of fund and poor maintenance culture. It is consequently suggested that integrating Islamic approach will aid the achievement of this goal by understanding that it is not a mere goal but a religious obligation. It is concluded that though staying within the confines of the Islamic Law would have helped in actualizing this goal and any similar goal in the nearest future, this goal must still be achieved not necessarily as a MDG but as a sacrosanct, unassailable and inviolable religious requirement.