IN contrast, private universities tend to have smaller class sizes, modern facilities, and more individualized attention for students. The tuition fees, which are significantly higher than those of federal institutions, are used to enhance the learning environment. But, while private institutions can offer a more tailored academic experience, it is my established perception that they lack the rigorous standards of federal universities.
Some critics last week reached out to me after reading the first part of column, they also argued that it is true private universities focus more on profits than on providing quality education, leading to concerns about the integrity of degrees awarded. Moreover, the high cost of tuition often places students under pressure to succeed quickly, sometimes at the expense of a deeper, more reflective academic journey.
One of the most debated aspects of private institutions in my discussion with the folks is that the speed at which students are expected to progress through their programs. Many private universities are designed to help students graduate in a timely manner, sometimes even in a reduced number of years. However, this speed often comes with a trade-off in terms of academic rigor.
For instance as earlier stated, in private universities, students can often pay to retake courses they have failed, which may allow them to move on faster than their peers in federal institutions. While this might sound like a pragmatic solution, it also raises questions about the value of the knowledge being acquired.
Can a student truly understand a course when they are simply paying to “catch up”? How does this system affect the overall integrity of the educational process? While this may seem like a reasonable approach, it underscores a broader issue – I repeat, the financial pressure placed on students.
Let’s assume a scenario of a lady/girl who has been granted scholarship or was sponsored by a relative or likes. You don’t expect her to ask her sponsor to pay for her failed course. And maybe her parents can or cannot afford to pay that amount for a failed course, most likely that student will resolve to doing things unthinkable, just to get the means to pay for her ‘failed course(s)’.
There is no debating that the value of a university education depends largely on the individual’s goals, financial resources, and ability to adapt to the system in which they are enrolled.
Education, after all, is not just about the institution – it’s about the effort, determination, and commitment of the student. Ultimately, both private and federal universities offer distinct advantages and challenges. Federal institutions may provide a more traditional, disciplined educational experience, while private universities often offer a faster, more flexible route to graduation.
I understand that private universities have worked hard to create an environment that serves the needs of many students, just like federal universities do. The intention isn’t to pit them against each other, but rather to highlight the different experiences and opportunities they offer.
Some private universities also reacted to the first part of my column, I will like to state that my goal is simply to provide an overview of how the two systems can offer distinct experiences, and how students and parents might evaluate these differences based on their priorities—whether that’s affordability, flexibility, or the quality of specific programs.
Private universities may offer smaller class sizes, federal universities often have more diverse student populations. Both have their advantages, and the best choice depends on personal goals and resources.
Private universities have certainly filled an important gap in the educational landscape, it’s important to recognize the underlying issue that led to their rise in the first place – the shortcomings within the public education system. If the government had done its part in adequately funding and improving federal universities, with no strikes every now and then there might not have been such a demand for private alternatives.
The things are it’s like its in the constitution that you can’t graduate in a federal university without going through strikes and wasting maybe a session less or more at home.
So, in conclusion, I will like to state that I have no issue swith private universities and I truly appreciate the competition they bring to the education sector, but its just paimful when a student gets thrown out of school for spill-overs, while another student stays in the system for D A D D Y’s money.
I rest my case.
- Kabara, is a writer and public commentator. Her syndicated column, Voice, appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays. She can be reached on hafceekay01@gmail.com.