Promoting Sustainable Education for Nation Building in Nigeria

Sustainable Education Source: Human angle
Spread the love

By Deborah Ogbole

In many Nigerian communities, the sentiment, “I would rather send my children to learn a trade than to send them to school,” still resonates. This mindset continues to hold back numerous individuals from pursuing formal education. While traditional skills are valuable, the reluctance to embrace classroom or online learning often limits the potential of entire communities. Nigeria is a nation blessed with abundant resources as well as intellectuals, the likes of Prof Wole Soyinka, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Ibukun Awosika amongst other great intellectuals.

Unfortunately, the drive for quick wealth and unhealthy competition are hydra-headed diseases that has unconsciously crept into the system, causing a common trend in our societies today. Ever heard of the term “Education na scam?” that is one of it.

Speaking to a random Nigeria at the point of this interview “The major problem is that when Nigerians are going through a crisis we end up blaming anyone we feel is more suitable to blame. So it difficult to see the drive to want to chase dreams because we believe someone has to be at fault for our misconduct” he said.

“We are being sold the narrative that top celebrities get the best of life without education, so what is the stress about education in trying to get a better life? With or without education we can still thrive” another stated.

Education in Nigeria is one that has made the nation proud over the years and with globalization, it has become easier to learn, through the Internet.  Getting impacted with new information and knowledge is something aesthetic that still stands as value. Many years ago, many did not have the opportunity to get formal knowledge; it was limited due to a lack of awareness and knowledge which has resulted in many losses, and now that it’s given, many believe that it is not necessary.

The Need for Formal Education

Finance: Everybody wants to do something that will lead to earning and that is the more reason why it is important to acquire an education, it monetizes the brain. Yes! It sharpens the brain into wanting to get more and that deliberately attracts money to you. Furthermore, Nigeria is a country full of great opportunities but since the great opportunity isn’t coming from Nigeria, you can also get elsewhere through formal education.

Social Mobility: Education helps build confidence and improve social status and occupation—whether in your profession or not. You see a step taken is the major reason why you’re where you are at the moment, once you get to a point you won’t want to go back that’s just it.

Cultural Preservation: In Nigeria, there’s this belief that our culture is our momentum, a Yoruba man is always seen bending when greeting his elders and many others and that’s something that is unique about Nigeria culture and that can be broadened into improving our culture and understanding it better, in order to develop it for future generations.

Reasons Why Some Locals Reject Formal Education

Affordability: Many low-income families with many children can’t afford to sponsor their children into school and that’s because of no job opportunities for them because they don’t have what an employer is looking for, leading to lack of income.

Relevance: When the school curriculum does not align with local needs and interests there lack of interest for education. However, this can be adjusted in order to improve the knowledge of many individuals lacking formal education.

Teacher Shortage: Lack of qualified teachers hinders education quality, and that can also be improved by paying teachers fair funding.

Funding: Many schools especially in rural areas lack a conducive learning environment and security, and that’s because of inadequate funding. It can be improved if there’s a good source of funding.

While education is still the bedrock of every society, all hands need to be on deck to ensure that we are taking the right steps in building a society where there is a hunger for sound education. The labour of our hero past shall never be in vain when we come together to solve the underlying issues of education in our nation.

Click here to read related article

 

 

1 thought on “Promoting Sustainable Education for Nation Building in Nigeria”

  1. The family in Nigeria needs education on how to educate their house hold with the guidance of the sdgs in mind so sustainable education is not contestable for any child no matter the family background in Nigeria.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *