Education: Preparing Students for Life, Not Just Exams

Hellooo #QCcommunity , I trust we are doing great. Welcome to my blog and entry to this weeks prompt onbthe above topic.TGIF. I look forward to further engagement with amazing people like you.

Picture source from Pixabay

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the Giant of Africa because of its potential. Yet, it faces many challenges in the academic system. These challenges include, but are not limited to, outdated curriculum, inadequate infrastructure, financial support, and a shortage of human resources.

Recently, I visited my sister, who happens to be a principal at a school in the eastern part of the country. While there, a discussion ensued about the salaries of teachers in private and public schools. During that discussion, I learnt a lot. I would also like to mention that it is a mission school (owned by a church), but it operates with the government-approved curriculum and all that. Some of the teachers employed in the school resigned because they got a government appointment to teach in public junior schools. Their reasons were the difference in salary structure. Meanwhile, in tertiary institutions, you notice that teachers in public schools job hunt for opportunities in the private tertiary schools.

Furthermore, there is a notion that students in private institutions, whether junior, higher or tertiary schools, do better in exams than their counterparts in the public schools. This includes professional or local exams. This has also been statistically proven during job assessments.

The question is: what could be the causes of the challenges mentioned above, and what measures could be employed to eradicate those challenges? Below are a few suggestions.

1. Private institutions have a more structured academic programme that removes archaic and theoretically embedded subjects while replacing them with a practical approach. For me, I would change the theoretical aspect in agricultural science, handicraft and home economics to practical approach. For example, practical mechanised farming would replace the theoretical classroom approach. Students would be equipped with machines and trained in mechanised farming while studying agricultural science in the tertiary and high school.

1. As a game changer, I will ensure that teachers, especially in the public schools, are paid well and trained to enable them pass the knowledge to the students. You cannot give what you do not have. Therefore, for those teachers to be at their best, and at par with their counterparts in tertiary institutions, salary reviews and training and development will form a culture to revitalise the system. This will eradicate or reduce strike tendencies and help students to pursue their studies seamlessly while graduating at the right time.

Picture source from Premuim Times

1. Upgrading the decayed infrastructures in the system. Some time ago, there were some good initiatives through Universal Basic Education in my country. Through this initiative, many schools got a facelift. New blocks of classrooms were awarded. However, there are still reports of students sitting on bare floors during classes in junior schools. In the tertiary schools, there are still reports of unfurnished libraries and no computers for practical etc. No excursions or lowly planned excursions. I will take a critical approach to those challenges and provide adequate infrastructure, equip the libraries and labs to drive research and build competencies in these students.

2. After wide consultations and awareness forums, I will remove some subjects like further mathematics and prioritise technical training. This is because I have witnessed occasions during assessments where students from technical schools outshine their counterparts from the tertiary institutions. Yet, those from the tertiary do request higher pay because of certification.

Change is a force; it is constant. Therefore, before I proceed with the above changes, I will ensure that there is wide consultation and forums where stakeholders are informed of my plans. In those discussions, some of the subjects I will introduce are:

1. Digital Skills under technology: this will include coding classes, data analytics, trading/cryptocurrency. Digital marketing, etc., will assist the students in developing entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to launch their careers immediately after school.

1. Emotional intelligence under guidance and counselling; this will be introduced to the curriculum to create awareness for mental health, living healthily and overcoming stress.

1. Reintroducing History as a stand-alone course: This has been a serious debate among intellectuals. History was removed from the curriculum. This made some students lose touch with yesteryear's events that are relevant in our country. It has caused more harm than good.

Picture source from Pixabay

1. Introducing technical training and vocational skills acquisition as a stand-alone course, such as wielding, fabrication, mechanised farming, fishing, fashion designing, etc., would be introduced in tertiary schools to equip the students and prepare them for life after school. In the event, they could not secure a job after school, the skills will launch them into the business space.

In conclusion, education should be an avenue to prepare students and the younger generation for life after school. It should not be seen as a tool to pass exams and obtain certificates. I would relate with those in authority towards increasing the budget allocation regarding education,

Secondly, we have also witnessed issues of bullying at schools and other vices. The academic system, if I were in charge, would be made robust and revamped to showcase practical proof of study through diversity, equality and inclusion to empower the younger generation and prepare them for an entrepreneurial mindset after leaving school.

Thank you for engaging in the post, I would like to read your feedback in the comment section.