THE NIGERIAN
21
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2013
Issues Opinion
Towards Making Education Work Again In Edo
THE importance of education to the development of any nation cannot be overemphasised; hence much attention should be given to it. Education is most times one of the distinguishing factors in placing you among the top cadre in the society. I will like to emphasise that education goes beyond only the lessons in the classes but also the environment in which the teaching is done. In the words of the highly respected Nelson Mandela, “Education is the world’s most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. With this in the mind, the spot light beamed on the educational sector in Edo state by the comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole is something laudable. Furthermore, the state government under the leadership of the governor, recently began a certificate verification Exercise, and few days into it; drama have started unfolding. The media has been awash with the news about a teacher in Edo state who was not able to read the sworn affidavit she tendered as part of her credentials. The exercise took a twisted turn when Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who paid an unscheduled visit to the State’s Staff Training Centre; venue of the exercise, was appalled that a teacher could not read, saying “if you can’t read, what do you teach the pupils, what do you write on the board”? Mrs Augusta Odemwinge, a teacher at Asologun Primary school, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Benin City; stuttered and read the affidavit as if a kindergarten was learning to read, to the consternation of everybody around. Also, before her turn, the governor joined in perusing the documents of
some other teachers at the screening venue. This revelation has underscored the importance of this exercise and the impact a ready government can make to the wellbeing of her people. This might just be one among the many that are in class, doing nothing but confusing the future leaders of tomorrow. The importance of the functions of the teachers is so delicate and enormous that care should be taken, before anybody is allowed into the class. Furthermore, a teacher is not just someone with qualification but someone that loves to teach. The teaching profession should not be a dump ground for people who have made efforts in other sectors but were not picked; teaching is a rare privilege that has the capacity to influence the leaders of tomorrow, and the wrong leaders can develop better under a wrong teacher. Chickering and Gamson (1987), gave seven principles for good practice in Undergraduate education, he described an effective teacher is described to: Encourage contact between students and faculty Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students Encourage active learning Give prompt feedback Emphasise time on task Communicate high expectation and Respect diverse talents and ways of learning The reality is that effective teaching goes much beyond developing subject matter expertise. From my experiences in higher education, great teachers share two common characteristics: an extraordinary sense of humility, and a strong commitment to continual improvement, based upon a fundamental motivation to inspire student success ( Natasha Kenny blog).
needs teachers that are patient enough to manage the total wellbeing of the students in her class. George Evans once said, “every student can learn just not on the same day, or
the governor in trying to revamp the educational sector in Edo state. Other state governments should follow suit and even the Federal Government should take steps to make the educational sector a place that houses professionals that can
And it will be good for this verification exercises to be replicated in other ministries and government organisations. In addition, government at all levels should also conduct such verification exercises, and increase the verification boundaries
the same way”, if this is properly understood by all teachers, education in Nigeria will be more imparting. Some of the misbehaviours we have today should have been handled if we had effective teachers in the classes. Hence I laud the efforts of
produce excellent future products. However, I appreciate the Governor for his efforts in making sure the educational system in Edo state is strong. He further displayed his resolve to make sure Edo children are in school and have the best of environments to learn in.
beyond certificates to
By OLUGBEMIRO O. MICHAEL
Moreover, we need to begin to have teachers who do not teach because of their salaries, but because they have the heart to develop the best of students to make the society a better
Gov Adams Oshiomhole
place (that does not mean, they should not be paid for their services, but money is not their major motivation). We need teachers that are not only interested in dishing out Fs but want to know why those students failed, and how to help them reach their peak. This nation
include other qualities that make a teacher better. As having a first class in the University does not automatically make you a good teacher, but a passion padded with discipline and knowledge will go a long way.
“However, I appreciate the Governor for his efforts in making sure the educational system in Edo state is strong. He further displayed his resolve to make sure Edo children are in school and have the best of environments to learn in. And it will be good for this verification exercises to be replicated in other ministries and government organisations.”