Education Beyond The Classroom: Education and Fatherhood – Fathers Day Special, June 2020
A nation must become independent with regards to the acquisition of knowledge skills, values, beliefs and habits.
We can achieve this in Nigeria by teaching values that promote our cultural identities and heritage while promoting civil and communal interactions. By doing this we would be introducing local contents to the curriculum, with focus on the realities in our societies. We must ensure we are locally relevant and globally competitive. Not just copying and pasting from the West
One of the major roles of education is to educate the citizens and to prepare and qualify them for work in the economy as well as teach them values and morals of society so that it is functional and safe. This role the nation is not being met at the various levels of government, as the country’s education system has undoubtedly been on a downward spiral for years.
In a country where over 195 million people reside, the government should focus more attention on education, increase the budget and revamp the education system to make it “fit for purpose” thereby bringing it into the 21st century. This will empower our youths to function in a knowledge based society and be qualified to participate in the fourth industrial revolution.
The importance of appropriate education in the 21st century society cannot be overemphasised. The need to make this education accessible to millions of children so that they can be equipped to function as productive citizens should be a foremost consideration for policy makers.
The starting premise is that education is a fundamental human right and a universal right and any government or society that fails to provide quality education for its children does that at it’s own peril.
Another pertinent factor linked to education is what it’s referred to as “home training” in our culture. Home training, involves proper understanding of the culture and norms and what is acceptable and proper behaviour in the society one is born into. When children are inappropriately exposed or lack proper home training, it affects their outlook in life.
In order to support the government efforts and build a sustainable society SchoolRun Group decided to launch a free Online education initiative to bridge the gap and ensure knowledge and practical guides are given to Nigerians in a way they can process easily, engaging and fun, anecdotal and in short bites completely free.
This is to help us to begin to think with a different perspective and help us change our narratives in the long term.
Research has shown that parenting and early years learning is key to laying a firm foundation for education in children. As such, it is pertinent for our children to be educated from a very early age. “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man.” – Aristotle.
This is why Effective Parenting and Building Educators Capacity are part of the offerings of the SchoolRun Academy programme along with the Education Beyond The Classroom series.
Social media platforms are deployed to give qualitative and relevant information using still visuals, videos, drama skits, and various free online sessions and webinars.
“Education is a weapon we can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela. In this regard we shall endeavour to make education accessible in small bites, beyond the classroom in a bid to give our people the tools needed to change our narrative and bring about a better future.
SchoolRun Academy is bringing education beyond the classroom to our teeming youths to prepare them for a future of hope and success.
We offer free tips, advice and bring experts, role models to discuss issues that would leave them more enlightened, inspired and equipped to go for their dreams or dare to be different.
We have had a number of inspiring sessions on Instagram live and we would start the YouTube channel with core educational contents for practitioners and education stakeholders soon.
We are also offering free Business education services to small and micro entities, life long learning to pensioners and other individuals that seek knowledge. SchoolRun is positioned to be a one stop shop for knowledge seekers.
We solicit your kind support for this project, as SchoolRun is to provide the needed knowledge to the Nigerian public free of charge, in an informal friendly manner through the social media platforms.
There are millions of children who have and are still currently being deprived of quality education. Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest population of Out of School Children. Our curriculum is not relevant to current day realities and in need of overhaul including the input of relevant local contents so we can ensure the products of our school systems are both locally relevant and globally competitive
SchoolRun Academy has partnered with a number of International organisations that are interested in helping us change our narratives and bridge the gaps and provide appropriate head start for our children. With your kind support as well, we can all contribute to a meaningful life for our future leaders.
Finally, as we mark the 2020 Fathers Day we have launched an online campaign sharing some of our insights on fatherhood and responsible parenting as a crucial part of education.
Written by Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi
CEO: SchoolRun Academy
Former Special Adviser on Education, Science & Technology
MESH International Council Member.
www.schoolrun.com.ng
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©, September, 2020
