JOURNAL OF CURRENT DISCOURSE AND RESEARCH (JCDR)

GATEKEEPING AND INEQUALITY IN NIGERIAN EDUCATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACCESS AND EQUITY

Abstract

Education is an important instrument of the nation's development, social change and personal growth in all societies. However, in Nigeria, access to quality education is inequitable because there are socio-economic, cultural, institutional and political factors that continue to exacerbate inequality of access to education for learners. The paper discusses the contribution of gatekeeping mechanisms to the perpetuation of inequality in the Nigerian educational system.it explores the issues of socio-economic status, school fees, admission policies and systems, examination systems, language barriers, gender inequality, urban-rural differences, political and institutional obstacles that hinder access to quality education and learning, especially for marginalised groups. It also clarifies that inequalities in the provision of education resources, qualified teachers, modern learning facilities, and fair admission practices still affect learners from privileged backgrounds and leave learners from poor and rural backgrounds behind. It argued that these inequalities have serious consequences on access and equity such as higher social inequality, joblessness, poverty, less social mobility, educational exclusion, regional imbalance and lower national development. Finally, it concludes that unless deliberate action is taken to address institutional and socio-economic barriers in the Nigerian educational system, educational inequality and unequal access to quality education in Nigeria will persist. The paper recommended for greater funding of education, better town-school facilities, more open admissions, more equal allocation of teachers, more generous scholarships, more inclusive learning policies, and better access to digital learning.