Education, self-help and rural development in Niger state

Abstract

Community development education of rural communities is a vital tool for self-help activities and rural development. In general terms, it concerns not only the provision of amenities and basic infrastructure for the people but also to help respond to community felt-needs in a sustainable manner. Overall, it is intended to improve the living conditions of the people and above all achieving development goals. This paper examines the contribution of education (the so-called western education) to community development through the physical infrastructure initiatives of the inhabitants of such communities. Emphasis is on spatial context of such community self-help projects that were initiated, planned and implemented for the benefit of all. Two communities were compared with regard to their educational attainment and how it affects community development of the areas. It describes the projects embarked upon by the communities and the relationship this has with the level of education of their inhabitants. It further discussed the way forward towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) particularly as it relates to rural areas within the framework of overall development paradigm.