Time and again, we have witnessed a formidable resource loose balance in every day possible, from the governments lack of care and concern to educationists who have simply lost the zeal to impact an undiluted knowledge. And we have been thrown into a world of uncertainties with regards to finding our way back to the glory days.
In an interview with Kikelomo Owolabi, a nursing aid and an entrepreneur, she expresses her concerns by taking us through a part filled with a plethora of thought. She said one of the biggest issues about our educational system is that it follows a one-way traffic regimen, once you are able to secure admission to an institution, attend classes, write tests, exams, and do assignments for the duration of the course, then voila, you have a first-degree certification that affords you the chance to fit yourself in an establishment only as a graduate with employability skills, and you keep moving between jobs for higher remuneration, but you cannot really function as a well-grounded person with a mind full of possibilities and ideas to create a long-lasting impact in the society.
“The system does not cater for extracurricular activities that will harness other interests outside of academic work. The sector is lacking the ability to create an all-inclusive learning environment. An environment that motivates, challenges the line of thought of educators to give the best of themselves to their students in a way that students can access support and review from them frequently. For opportunities to fail and not be condemned. For the opportunities to pass and not be cheated out of your grades.”
“What is most worrisome is how we fail to pay attention to mental health and well being. We produce thousands of graduates annually, but how ingenious are they? Do they possess impeccable problem-solving skills outside of their educational qualifications? Do they possess the requisite skills and emotional intelligence to venture into the teaching profession? In what era will strike ever leave our system? When will the government be fully immersed in the growth of the youths? Show care and consideration for educationists enough to review their remuneration packages? Our road to recovery is still ahead of us almost as though it’s beyond our reach,” she said.
The race to prevail in a system that is one-sided is far from achievable, but we can stay focused and consistent in the fight. Then, we just might be able to achieve a system that balances the social as well as the intellectual aspects of life, learning is such a dynamic process that requires frequent upgrade which allows for effectiveness for those who can even afford to access it.
The need to include abstract learnings, whilst combining theory and practice will improve the credibility of our educational system in an instant. We must be able to satisfy not just the immediate need of possessing a certification to work, but an evergreen appetite that fostered sublime changes in the near future.
