Potentialities of technology in enhancing probate education practice in Nigeria towards vision 2010

E Ezeja Ogili
Institute of Management and Technology
Nigeria

Today, probate education practices have gained credibility in the task of liberating Mankind from the culture of silence. Emerging technologies create new opportunities. We take it for granted that probate education (PE) will make extensive use of information and communication technology (ICT). New Technologies are having a considerable impact on course production and delivery in open and distance education. Nigerian advocates of probate education have seen the arrival of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) as a dream come true. The use of the (www) World Wide Web for the delivery of courses brings the promises of the cost-effective unfettered virtual institution, with the potential to reach learners even in prison.

The evolution of probate education (PE) as a worthwhile effort for reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates in Nigeria is a genuine move towards vision 2010. But the extent of recidivism in Nigeria suggests that something is wrong somewhere within the prison system or where the convicts are expected to settle. This is because despite the laudable objective of probate education convicts are rarely reformed. Instead they come out more criminally inclined than ever. This may be the fault of the government, prison officials, prisoners themselves or the society. The implication of this paper towards vision 2010 in Nigeria is that giving the rightful education to an adult will bestow self-confidence, self-respect and self-reliance in him. But, it is unnatural to train an adult for liberty under conditions of captivity. However, the vision and mission of President Obasanjo of Nigeria is to make education openly accessible to, and affordable and equitable for, all Nigerians. Nigeria has no choice but to catch on it, considering the population, socio-economic needs, and all current development indicators. Hence, Nigeria's situation to this effect has become an issue of concern with the presence of technology in teaching and learning.