Have you wondered how we can innovate solutions to revive Education in Nigeria? We have spent time working on this question. But before we delve into this rather lengthy article, let me take you back to the first 6 parts of this blog series to give some context. Please take the time to read through and remember to share your thoughts with us.
We have been evaluating the current status of the educational system in Nigeria. In Part 1, we had an overview of the Nigerian education system. Part 2, discussed the indigenous education system. We reviewed the Islamic/religious education system in part 3 . In parts 4 & 5, we delved into the formal education system. Part 6 focused on tertiary Education in Nigeria.
In this final part, we will look at the opportunities and possible innovations needed to overcome some of the challenges facing the educational system in Nigeria. Shall we?
The Nigerian Education Status Quo.
Nigeria needs to catch up to other nations of the world due to a non-intentional attitude to providing solutions to some of the problems beseeching the educational sector. For Nigeria to succeed, meaningful solutions to address the funding issue and reorientate parents/guidance and students towards achieving the goal of Education must be developed.
- Education must be more affordable, especially at the tertiary level, for all and sundry, by removing all monopolistic approaches to education/knowledge acquisition.
- Stakeholders must also encourage technical Education and innovation to rescue the nation from technological redundancy by funding innovations and research.
- The Nigerian status quo is defined by poor funding, poor educational infrastructure, paucity of qualified teachers and teaching aids like computers, laboratories and libraries. Still, thousands of passionate teachers and students are ready to innovate solutions to Nigeria’s educational problem.
China Turns Half Of Its Universities Into Technical Schools.
With a growing population of university graduates, all having similar academic degrees and ending up competing for the same job, China realises there is a need for innovation within its system. Already in 2014, the Chinese government recognised the need to transform about half of its public universities into applied learning or polytechnics to produce more technically trained graduates.
It Is Not Only China; Europe Is On The March!
Building World Skills has become priority number one in many schools in western Europe today. Economic chambers in the west invest an enormous sum of money to help SMEs reorient themselves, adapt to the changing skill requirements and explore new approaches. Thons of trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences are organised to introduce new ideas to youths.
Established companies receive government incentives to promote apprenticeships within their firm. Every possibility is applied to make their nations fit for an uncertain future. This attitude demands a solid administrative and planning mentality. Unfortunately, this mentality needs to be included within the political and governance system and our private personal surroundings. That issue we will tackle in another article.
Expecting accountability is the first step to reinventing the educational system.
Joadre
Innovate With Knowledge Of Your History.
History helps people understand where they come from, so would understanding Nigeria’s history helps Nigeria know their journey. Remembering history enables you to avoid the same mistake. You can identify what has worked in the past and what failed. Knowing how Nigeria became Nigeria creates more appreciation for the nation’s existence.
With this grounded understanding, many youths gain confidence in their country. With this spirit, youths can dare innovate. This is confidence needed to demand from one’s own country. The more youths can request from Nigeria, the stronger accountability in Nigeria must become. Expecting accountability is the first step to reinventing the educational system. This solution is simple; Bring history back into the primary fundamental Education.
Education About Nigeria’s History Opens New Economic Sectors.
Besides understanding history for national empowerment, history opens up cultural incentives that bring in tourism. Tourism is a crucial developmental sector for many western countries, especially those with very little or limited natural resources.
Finally, understanding Nigeria’s history will help the nation remember the diversity of economics the region once had. The idea that Nigeria continues capitalising on its oil as the major resource and export would change. A changing attitude towards this mentality will help create space for many other resources the nations possess to evolve.
Innovate Indigenous Knowledge To Further Its integration.
Education is the bedrock of development in all its forms, and Education can not only mean modern development. When humans discovered fire, I assume there was no bachelor’s degree in sustainable energy, nor were there universities like we know them today. However, humans developed the ability to master fire, leading to a diverse utilities like creating warmth, cooking etc.
This “mastering” the utility of fire was passed down from generation to generation, making it a vital form of Education. Today, Nigeria comprises many regions with their cultures and older ways of survival. Some practices advantageous to our current way of life can be researched, developed and brought into recent times. New standards can then be created as new study disciplines develop. Remember, literacy is only a part of Education, not the core of Education.
Innovate Education By Opening up To World Skills
When we suggest that Education (all kinds of Education) is the bedrock of modern development, this means that it must at least evolve with time. Today World Skills have become more relevant than ever. World skills are occupational skills which are very important in achieving economic growth in any country. From primary schools to tertiary institutions in the country, everyone needs to integrate a strong model and approach towards offering World Skills. An accredited program must be developed around the country.
Let World Skills inspire participation, develop skills and influence industries.
Joadre
The core of this program is to inspire participation, develop skills and influence industries. However, there is a lot of catching up to do in Nigeria. A fast-tracked model will be to;
- make independent programs attain a national standard.
- This national standard must be competitive with global standards.
- Schools with deficits must be provided ways to compensate, for example, through digital training and coaching, with open space practice and shared service infrastructure.
These are just a few incentives Nigeria needs to start working on now so that the next generation would stand a good chance of owning the space they live in.
Bridge The Knowledge Discrepancies For African students.
There are so many possibilities to innovate Education in Africa as a continent. At Joadre, we have started our part. Many passionate educators are out there, and we are eager to connect with you all. We developed our JoadreTRIBE platform just for this purpose. To help bridge the knowledge discrepancies for African students. Mentors, coaches, educators, teachers, lecturers and, of course, the government can take the opportunity to create cutting-edge tools for students. Let’s conclude that Education is diverse and must evolve to become relevant to the development of the people consuming it. es
That was it for this blog. You can learn more about Education in Nigeria in previous blogs on this topic.
- Part 1: https://joadre.com/overview-educational-system-in-nigeria-part-1/
- Part 2: https://joadre.com/informal-indigenous-educational-system-part-2/
- Part 3: https://joadre.com/religious-education-in-nigeria-part-3/
- Part 4: https://joadre.com/formal-education-system-in-nigeria-part-4/
- Part 5: https://joadre.com/secondary-education-system-in-nigeria-part-5/
- Part 6: https://joadre.com/tertiary-education-system-in-nigeria-part-6/
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Thank you for reading to the end.
Cheers
Joadre
