"SCHOOL NA SCAM; THE YOUNG GENERATION'S PERCEPTION OF EDUCATION 

       The word "scam" means a dishonest or fraudulent dealing but in this context, 'scam means anything that is insignificant or unimportant. The expression "school na scam" (Getting educated is scam) is very common on the lips of young Nigerians, especially students. These set of students have lost hope in education and believe that formal education is not a guarantee to success in life. The ignorance behind this belief is centered on the impression that going through the four walls of the university will not necessarily give one a good standard of living, it cannot make them successful so they prefer to venture on other life opportunities. Most students who profess this slang judge from the nation's current economic status;the high rate of unemployment,many years of job haunting after bagging a degree.The proponents of this slang betone that it is better to drop out of school with the hope of surviving and finding a means of livelihood with their O'level certificate.

        The young generations are discouraged by this slang and it makes them to lose focus. To a large extent, younger boys who do not believe in the normal process of going to school in a bid to obtain a degree before entering a new phase of life prefer to engage in 'Yahoo'(cyber crime), spending hours online and defrauding people of their hard earned money. It has become a practice that is very common among Nigerians. The doubt they have that school won't work out prompts them to involve in fraud with the wrong impression that it will fetch them the money real quick and upgrade their standard of living. Young girls with the same mentality are not left out. Found in large numbers among young ladies are those who do not bother about furthering their education due to the popular slogan "school na scam". These ladies engage in what is popular known as "hook up" (A casual sexual experience with another person without any future relationship intended). "It gives cool cash", they often say.

         In addition, young ones are not interested in finding out and utilizing the potentials they possess because they feel it's useless. This wrong preception is making the young generations to lose interest in schooling.It can be seen clearly in the university nowadays that not everyone comes to school with the aim or hope that they will be successful in the end; Few come to school just for freedom's sake, some want to please their parents.This slogan is doing a lot of harm to the young ones,the zeal and enthusiasm toward getting well educated reduces.

         However, through this piece, I will like to to reach out to the younger ones on the importance of getting well educated. Education is a process and those who are going through it should not be in a hurry for the benefits that comes with schooling. Developing a positive mindset that after rounding up with your educational process,big opportunities are out there should be a source of encouragement to you. Schooling comes with many challenges but it shouldn't make us lose focus. Many have gone through this phase and came out successful. A very good example is George Washington Carver, a man who was born into slavery and ultimately became one of the greatest scientist and inventors in the world, as well as a pioneering educator. He became the first black student and faculty member at Lowa state university. After having got to this height, he came up with the quote "Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom.

In conclusion, young ones should focus on obtaining a degree and acquiring knowledge, using the story of great men as a motivation till the end because it is a patient dog that eats the fattest bone.       

Maurice Manna Chidinma