CORRUPTION AND DIVERSION OF FUNDS AS THE MENACE OF FUNDING BASIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The issue of corruption and diversion of funds earmarked for the funding of basic education in Nigeria has lingered for a long time, subsequently crippling every effort to revive the sector. Despite the prevalence of other factors that are posing as a problems like poor remuneration of teachers, adequate teaching materials and building infrastructure, various studies have been found to prove that corruption and diversion of funds is the major menace of this sector. This challenge has caused millions of children that are of school age to be out of school. The main objective of this study is to examine the various cases of funds diversion and pilferage by corrupt individuals and public officials, thereby investigate the loop holes in the system that are enabling the infestation of the act. Various cases of corruption and diversion of funds were analyzed and it was discovered that there are no adequate measures in place to deter the people involved in such practices from promulgating the act. In conclusion, once the issue of corruption and the diversion of funds are sorted, the sector will begin to manifest formidable changes and development. Hence, in other to save the ailing basic education in Nigeria, it was recommended amongst others that those found guilty be made to return the looted funds, as other studies carried out omitted this important fact of returning stolen funds before serving their prison terms and that they should be barred from any professional association they belong to avert a future re-occurrence of such acts of fraudulent impunity.