By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Some stakeholders in education sector have urged parents to allow their children pass through all the academic stages as stipulated in the education policies instead of skipping classes.

They expressed this concern on Monday, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

They said students who skipped classes were most times slaves to their emotions, being not mature for the challenges ahead.

According to them, education is the bedrock of development and for any meaningful development to take place a person has to pass through some stages of development both physically, mentally and psychologically.

Mr Pius Godwin, the Principal of Kings’ Kids International School, Gwagwalada, frowned at the rate JSS 2 and SS2 students enroll for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE).

“We are in an era, where students are in a rush to graduate from school as soon as possible without putting into considerations, first their mental and academic development,” he said.

He said that parents were part of the problems, adding that parents of such student always come up with excuses that favour them not minding the consequences on their children.

According to him, when a child is pushed above his or her class, such student may not be able to stand academically to defend the certificate.

“He or she may not be able to solve problems that involve intellect in the place of work and may not be able to make meaningful contributions in policies that concern education.

“Also, such an individual may not be able to teach others; he or she will be unemployable in any institution whether government or private sector.

“Equally, he or she may not be able to replicate who they are in any sector they found themselves not minding the implications,” he said.

The principal further said that psychologically, such students might exhibit arrogance and rudeness when they failed to carry out an assignment perfectly after graduation.

He said that the most annoying aspect was that this might extend to even their next generations.

He, therefore, encouraged parents to allow their wards pass through all the academic stages as stipulated in the education policies.

Similarly, Mr Haruna Idachaba, a father of three said that some parents took pride on their wards or children’s capability above their mates; hence they encouraged them to skip classes.

Idachaba noted that allowing a child to skip his or her class might cause more harm than good for that child in future.

He said that for the sake of academic development of that child parents should allow their children to go through all the academic processes.

Also, Dr Olatunji Jekayinfa said schools might allow students to sit for external examinations such as BECE and SSCE in JSS2 and SSS2 to assess the readiness of the students and their level of preparedness ahead final year.

Jekayinfa, who is a Research Fellow at the National Mathematical Centre, said students who happened to come brilliantly well at the penultimate year should be made to stay back to write again at the final year.

According to him, this is because students at the penultimate year most times, although academically sound may not be emotionally and physically mature.

“And, ready for the next level of their education if they are allowed to skip the final year class.

He said that in spite of the child’s academic brilliance such student tend to be easily influenced negatively by their older colleagues.

According to him, due to their tenderness and age disparity among their colleagues, such a student is more vulnerable to vices associated with adolescence.

“The school system ultimately should produce rounded graduates who are sound academically and are morally and emotionally matured.

“This may be a far cry if students are allowed to skip vital and important classes just because they are successful in their external examinations at the penultimate class.

“The disadvantages are too enormous to waive aside,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ben Ezuwu/Isaac Aregbesola

By Cecilia Ijuo

Prof. John Abhuere has called on government at all levels and relevant stakeholders to invest in the youth to fulfil the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Abhuere, founder of the Centre for Childcare and Youth Development (CCYD), said this at children’s event organised by the centre on Tuesday in Abuja.

CCYD is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), established to help proffer solution to socio-economic problems largely affecting young people in the country.

The event was organised to mark the International Day for Education and World Day for African and Afro-Descendant Culture.

The don, a former Director with the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), said the best way to put Nigeria back on the path of glory was to make quality education a priority.

He said, “our generation has failed this country but we cannot continue to live in disappointment.

“We need to properly groom our children, input in them the right morals, teach them character, integrity and develop their skills to lead us to the promise land.

“Investment in children education is the best way to develop the Nigeria of our dream.”

The don said proper investment in education would go a long way in creating job opportunities while reducing crime rate, particularly among youths.

On the activities to mark the day, Abhuere commended the schools that participated in the event.

He also commended the creativity, intelligence and smartness displayed by the students in the various activities lined up to mark the day.

“What we are doing today will assist them into becoming ambitious and working towards success in life.

The Programme Officer of CCYD, Chiamaka Ekele, said government and relevant stakeholders should prioritise education.

She said prioritising education would accelerate progress towards all the Sustainable Development Goals.

On celebration of African and Afro-Descendant Culture, Ekele said promoting African culture was crucial for the development of the continent.

She said it was time for relevant stakeholders to “join hands to promote education and protect African culture.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were cultural displays, quiz, presentations and other activities by the different schools that attended the event to mark the day.

Certificates and prizes were also presented to schools that emerged winners in the various activities.

The International Day of Education and World Day for African and Afro-Descendant Culture are annual events marked on Jan. 24.

The 2023 International Day of Education has the theme, “To Invest in People Prioritise Education”.

Meanwhile, the World Day for African and Afro-Descendant Culture is aimed at celebrating the various cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, on Monday called for long term sustainable models that captured educational needs of all students.

She said that this was necessary to bridge tertiary institutions’ admission deficits in the nation.

Speaking during the hybrid launch of Edutimes Africa Magazine in Lagos, she said the nation must adopt long term strategies for students to learn models that would make them productive citizens.

She said millions of students annually enrolled for WAEC and JAMB whereas, tertiary institutions had limited admission capacity in hundreds, thereby always leaving a huge deficit.

“Whatever we do, year in year out we are breaking the hearts of a significant number of our students.

“So, I am also wondering it is time for us to look into the model and try to think of more sustainable models,” she said.

The commissioner called for increased investments into high level technical education, advanced IT and academics, adding that technical education had grown beyond making beads or other crafts.

“We have to build an educational system where every child, no matter what their inate ability, is able to make a choice and go to school and do well,” she said.

She commended Edutimes Africa for its bold initiative and pledged support for the publication.

Delivering a lecture, Mr Ayo Makanjuola, Chief Financial Officer, Millbrook First Nation, Canada, who joined virtually, said education and economy were closely linked in Africa.

He said that a well educated workforce would drive economic growth and development.

Speaking on the topic, “Connecting the dots, Education and Economy in Africa”, Makanjuola said the continent had not evolved to a level where it could develop without proper schooling.

“We can’t have growth without having strong human capital to drive it,” he said.

The Keynote speaker, Mr Remi Morgan, Founder and CEO, Laterna Ventures, Nigeria, reviewed the maiden edition of Edutimes Africa.

He challenged the publishers to always keep the content fresh to remain relevant, while urging them to seek partnerships.

Prof. Segun Ajibola, Chairman, Board of Directors, Bowen Microfinance Bank Ltd., while delivering his lecture, decried problems in the education sector, including inadequate funding.

He called for a paradigm shift in education funding in Nigeria.

“The 2023 budget for example earmarked about 10 per cent for education. By the time the appropriation bill was approved, it came down to about 8.8% but historically the actual spending has always been less than what is budgeted. We need a paradigm shift in that area.

“We also need to cultivate private sector initiatives in funding education in Africa,” he said.

Ajibola called for accountability in management of education funds and a boost in quality of infrastructure, manpower and policies that highlight importance of education.

He said without education, individuals and societies were doomed, and expressed hope that Edutimes Africa would fill vacuums in the continent.

Another speaker from Schneider Electric, Mr Ajibola Akindele, called for various forms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) including scholarships, donations into the sector.

Speaking on the topic “the Benefits of CSR in the African Education System”, he enumerated efforts of his firm making impact in the sector, adding that CSR had several benefits including positive brand perceptions.

The Chief Executive Officer/ Editor-in-Chief, EduTimes Africa Magazine, Mr Oladapo Akande, said the monthly magazine would be a guide to students and youths to make informed and right choices.

Earlier, Mr Adebiyi Oke, initiator of the project, listed gaps in the education sector and system which the publication seeks to close.

He gave a background of the vision and thanked all team members who worked tirelessly to ensure the birth of the magazine. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle