Chijioke Godfrey Nwajioha, an academic consultant of international repute, is the Chairman, of Gran Hermano Academy, Awka, Anambra State. In this interview, Nwajioha speaks on how the Tinubu administration can harness the renewed hope mandate by infusing indigenous technology into the school curriculum to sustain the future of education in Nigeria. Excerpts:
What is your view on government policy to ensure Nigerians get quality education?
To ensure that Nigerians receive quality education, government must adopt a holistic approach that focuses on all levels of education, from pre-school to tertiary. There must be a focus on improving teacher quality as well as increasing access to education and providing adequate learning resources. In addition, there must be a focus on addressing the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, and children living in conflict-affected areas.
There must also be a strong monitoring and evaluation system in place to track progress and ensure accountability. Overall, government's education policy must be comprehensive, inclusive and well-funded. To further elaborate, I believe that the following policy areas are particularly important: Investing in early childhood education: Early childhood education is crucial in laying the foundation for a child's future academic success.
Government should invest in expanding access to pre-school education as well as training and professional development for early childhood educators. Increasing access to secondary education: Secondary education is important for preparing young people for the workforce and for further education. Efforts should be geared towards expanding and increasing the number of secondary schools to accommodate more people in rural areas and improve the quality of secondary education in the hinterlands.
Improving technical and vocational education: Technical and vocational education is important for preparing young people for the world of work. However, there is a significant gap between the demand for skilled workers and the supply of skilled workers in Nigeria.
Government should work to improve the quality and relevance of technical and vocational education, as well as increase the number of trained workers. Ensuring access to higher education: Higher education is important for personal and professional development, as well as for driving economic growth. Presently, there is a significant gap in access to higher education in Nigeria, especially for low-income and rural populations. Government should work to increase the number of public universities, provide access to education loans for those who cannot afford the fees, and improve the quality of higher education by ensuring adequate funding, continuous training, and research.
What is your view on government's four-year strategic plan to serve as an education road map for education development?
The Nigerian government's Strategic Plan for Education Development (SPED) is a roadmap for improving the country's education system over the next four years. SPED is a comprehensive plan that covers all levels of education, from basic to tertiary. The plan's key objectives include improving access to and equity in education, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, and children in conflict-affected areas; improving the quality of education, including the training and development of teachers; improving school infrastructure; and increasing the use of technology in education.
SPED is an ambitious plan, and it is not clear whether all of its objectives will be achieved within the four-year timeframe. Most times, government comes up with a well-thought-out program that, if judiciously implemented, will improve the well-being of its citizens, but what we see in most cases is a lack of political will or a misplaced priority to drive the process.
There are several challenges that could hinder the implementation of the plan. These include limited funding, lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure and political instability. However, the plan does have the potential to make significant improvements to the Nigerian education system, and its success will depend on the commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders. If the plan is successfully implemented, it could lead to improved access to education, better learning outcomes, and increased economic growth and development in Nigeria.
In my opinion, there are several key factors that will be crucial for the success of the SPED. First, it is important to ensure that the plan is adequately funded. Government must commit to increasing spending on education and ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. Second, there must be a focus on improving the quality of teacher training and development, as well as the overall quality of education. Third, it is important to create an enabling environment for learning by ensuring that schools have adequate infrastructure and resources.
There must also be political stability and commitment to the plan from all levels of government. It could be said that insincerity on the part of those saddled with the responsibility of driving the process has always been a clog in the wheel of progress in achieving a set goal. So for me, it's achievable with commitment, sincerity of purpose, and concerted efforts.
Experts are of the view that a crucial step in this direction would reduce Japa syndrome. What are your thoughts on this?
Yes, I agree with that assertion! The japa syndrome, or the brain drain phenomenon, if you like, is a real and pressing challenge for Nigeria. I believe that reducing this trend will require a multi-pronged approach that includes improving the quality of education, increasing access to opportunities, and addressing economic challenges. Improving the quality of education will make Nigeria a more attractive option for talented individuals, as it will give them the skills and knowledge to succeed in the global economy.
Secondly, increasing access to opportunities, such as jobs and internships, will give individuals a reason to stay in Nigeria and contribute to its development. Furthermore, addressing inflation and unemployment will help create a more stable and prosperous environment for individuals to live and work in. In addition, untying the country from the shackles of corruption, improving infrastructure, and promoting the rule of law will also help to create an environment that is conducive to retaining talent.
I believe that addressing the Japa syndrome requires a holistic and comprehensive approach that considers all of these factors. You see, the world has become a global village; access to information is at the tip of your finger, thereby creating opportunities for the young ones to interact with their peers elsewhere, and by doing so, you will wonder why what works seamlessly elsewhere will be difficult to achieve in Nigeria. The menace is a big challenge that requires a complex and multifaceted approach that addresses both the push and pull factors that are driving this phenomenon.
It is important to create opportunities and conditions in Nigeria that will give young people the desire to stay and contribute to the development of the country. This includes improving education, creating job opportunities, and promoting social justice. At the same time, it is also necessary to address the factors that are drawing young people to leave Nigeria, such as economic insecurity, political instability, and insecurity. By addressing these issues, we can reduce the incentive for people to leave the country and instead encourage them to stay and contribute to its future.
It is important to address the broader social-economic and political context in which the Japa syndrome exists. As I said before, tackling corruption, strengthening institutions, and creating an environment that is conducive to innovation and growth will put an end to all these anomalies. Let me add that this is very important, and I would want the government to take this very seriously. To solve the education problem in Nigeria, there should be legislation prohibiting those who didn't do a degree course in Nigeria from being considered for jobs in any government establishment.
That is to say, before one is qualified to work in any government establishment, he or she must have a first or second degree from a Nigerian school. By doing so, we will look inward and make our schools work, which, in turn, will discourage people from running out of the country, only to come back to head government agencies where policies on education are implemented. I am saying this with every sense of responsibility. It's very saddening to note that those who abandoned Nigeria to study elsewhere will come back to be considered ahead of those who went through the Nigerian school system.
We should be proud of our system and make it work. The West and her allies have succeeded in demeaning our school system, whereas it's on record that the majority of Nigerian students that travel out to further their education go there and distinguish themselves and beat their contemporaries. What does that tell you? We must create an enabling environment and prioritize investment in education to dissuade our young, bright minds from 'japaing'.
What are the challenges of obtaining quality education, and how have you contributed to ensuring Nigerians get quality education?
Going by your word "experienced proprietor," the challenges I have faced in providing quality education are multifaceted. For example, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of qualified and experienced teachers. There is a severe shortage of teachers, especially in this age of technology, and many of the teachers that are available are not adequately trained or are unemployable. To address this challenge, I have worked to provide professional development opportunities for teachers as well as to recruit and train new teachers. In Gran Hermano Academy, quality is our watchword, and, to that end, we have invested much in training our teachers to be in tune with the demands of the modern classroom.
We have been able to do so because of our firm belief in excellence. I have also worked to develop curricula and teaching materials that are relevant and engaging for students. I believe that quality education is key to the development of any nation, and I am committed to doing my part to ensure that Nigerians have access to high-quality education. Another challenge I have faced is the lack of infrastructure and resources. Many schools, especially in rural areas, lack basic infrastructure such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation facilities. These challenges make it difficult for students to learn and for teachers to teach effectively. To address this challenge, I have worked with local and international organizations to provide funding for school infrastructure projects.
Imagine where you are meant to provide electricity or solar systems, provide for your own water, and, in some cases, access roads. What have you done? I have also worked to raise awareness about the importance of school infrastructure and to advocate for increased funding from government. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges I have faced is the lack of parental involvement in education. Many parents do not understand the importance of education, and they do not provide the necessary support for their children. Some parents dump their children in schools without following up or giving parental guidance.
This can lead to students dropping out of school or not performing well. To address this challenge, I have worked to raise awareness about the importance of parental involvement in education and to provide training for parents on how to support their children's learning. Overall, the challenges I have faced in ensuring quality education for Nigerians are significant, but I am committed to finding solutions and making a difference.
You are aware of the challenges bedeviling the education sector, which include insecurity, accessibility, funding, teachers' capacity building and institutional management. How have you been able to contain these challenges for over 10 years?
It has been a bumpy ride for 10 years, but God has been very gracious. First and foremost, we have been able to contain these challenges by building a strong partnership with the community where we operate. We have worked closely with community leaders, parents, and other relevant stakeholders to develop a shared vision for education in the area. This has helped to build trust and ensure that we are all working towards the same goal. We have also been able to leverage technology to help address some of the challenges. We use technology surveillance cameras (CCTV) to monitor the environment and also working closely with government security agencies. On teachers' capacity building, I have worked to build the capacity of teachers through professional development opportunities, access to resources, training and retraining, and financial and material rewards. It will interest you to note that during our 10th anniversary celebration on December 8, 2023, we rewarded the pioneer staff with a plot of land each here in Awka, Anambra State. All these are geared towards motivating them to do more, as opposed to the popular saying that "teachers' reward is in heaven." All of that has helped to improve the quality of education and address some of the challenges related to teachers' capacity over the last 10 years of our commitment to the development of education. I have also been able to address some of the funding challenges through innovative fundraising initiatives.
For example, I have worked with local businesses to establish scholarships and other forms of financial support for students. Just during our 10th anniversary, our invited guests raised handsome funds to support the above initiative. Overall, I have been able to make progress in addressing these challenges through a combination of partnerships, technology, and fundraising. I believe that continued collaboration and innovation will be key to making further progress in the future. One area where I have seen significant progress is improving security in the environment where we are operating. I have worked with local law enforcement agencies, and government has also done so well in reducing the fears and threats of insecurity to the barest minimum.
I have also put surveillance cameras and security guards in place. These have helped to create a safer learning environment for students and staff. In addition, I have worked to create a culture of safety and security in the school community. This includes regular drills, safety training for staff, and awareness campaigns for students and parents. These efforts have helped to make students feel safe and secure in school and have yielded tremendous achievements in academic excellence.
What road map have you put in place to produce reliable and accountable leaders as promised by GHA before the next 10 years?
To understand our 10-year road map and goals for producing reliable and accountable leaders, it is important to appreciate where we came from in the last 10 years. It has become common knowledge that "schools promote exam malpractice.". It was against this backdrop that Gran Hermano Academy was founded to bring about academic excellence. Our motto is 'Raising Leaders Through Excellence'. When we started, we first defined our objectives, core values, and vision, and these have been our guiding principles in all that we do and in the day-to-day running and activities of the school. Promotion of examination malpractice is a serious issue that must be addressed in order to produce accountable and reliable leaders. It is a malady that must be condemned by every right-thinking person because it shakes the foundation of hard work. Several measures can be taken to combat this problem. First, there must be a strong commitment from school administrators, teachers, parents, and students to combat cheating and promote integrity in the exam process.
This can be achieved through education and awareness campaigns as well as clear consequences for those who engage in malpractice. Second, there should be improved security measures in place at exam centers to prevent cheating and ensure that exams are conducted fairly and transparently. In Anambra State, for example, the Ministry of Education has made it mandatory for all WAEC centers to be covered and equipped with CCTV cameras.
There should be a strong emphasis on promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom so that students are better equipped to succeed without relying on cheating. Ultimately, the goal should be to create an environment where students are rewarded for their hard work and dedication rather than for their ability to cheat.
By taking these measures, we can help to ensure that our educational system is producing responsible and ethical leaders who are prepared to make a positive impact on society. So, for us, we have succeeded in changing the narrative in the past 10 years, and the records are glaring. So, to answer your question, by the next 10 years, judging by the awesome achievements and records so far and by the roadmap we have set in motion, we will have produced more reliable and accountable leaders that will be able to give account of themselves academically and otherwise.
So far, what collaborative efforts beyond the government or industry stakeholders have you made to make your students compete internationally?
We have leveraged the competitive nature of private schools to find ways to distinguish us from our contemporaries. Running to school is not a tea party. Manufacturing industries and factories push their products to the market and maintain the same product style as long as the demand remains the same, but the education industry demands creativity, innovative models, and skills daily if you must remain in the business. There are several collaborative efforts that I have made to help my students compete favorably both nationally and internationally. One such effort is the development of partnerships with international organizations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the British Council, and other education consultancies. As a registered member of the British Council, we undertake the following international examinations:
Checkpoint 2. IGCSE 3. IGCSE Upper Secondary 4. IGCSE Advance (A' LEVEL) Through these partnerships, we have been able to offer students the opportunity to participate in international competitions, such as the International Maths Olympiad, the International Science Olympiad, the Turkish Maths Competition, and other national competitions. These experiences have allowed my students to gain valuable skills and knowledge and have also helped to raise the profile of the school on the international stage. I have also collaborated with universities and companies for workshops and training for the senior classes in various educational programs. This has provided them with valuable experience and exposure to different industries and cultures. I have further worked with different professionals and organizations to develop a curriculum that is aligned with international standards so that my students can compete with their peers from around the world. Basically, we have collaborated with other educational institutions to provide my students with access to world-class resources and facilities, such as libraries, laboratories, and technology centers.
Are there scholarship initiatives for vulnerable, bright, and underprivileged students?
I am one of those who believe in building human capacity. Prior to setting up the Academy, I have been investing in human capital development, giving scholarships to many indigent, vulnerable, and underprivileged persons in primary, secondary, and higher institutions of learning. In our academy, there are also several scholarship initiatives for vulnerable, bright, and underprivileged students, which are open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential. During admission, there is a criterion or threshold that one must satisfy to qualify for a scholarship. In addition, we partner with several private and corporate scholarship programs that provide support to deserving students from low-income backgrounds. As I said earlier, during GHA's 10-year anniversary, we raised funds for that purpose. These initiatives are helping to ensure that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic status. Scholarships are to reward hard work, assist the underprivileged, and challenge other students to do better. "We rise by lifting others," says Davido.
Like President Bola Tinubu emphasizes, is there attention given to science and technology students to encourage the infusion of indigenous technology into regular curriculum reviews?
Yes, the Nigerian government has been placing greater emphasis on science and technology education in recent years. This is reflected in the National Policy on Education, which emphasizes the need to integrate science and technology into the regular curriculum. For example, the policy states that science and technology should be taught at the primary school level and that there should be a focus on applied science and technology in secondary schools.
The policy also calls for the establishment of science and technology centers and the promotion of research and innovation in the field.
This is part of a broader effort to encourage the use of indigenous technology and to make Nigeria a leader in the field of science. Indigenous technology refers to technology that is developed within a particular country or region rather than being imported from elsewhere.
In the context of Nigeria, it refers to technology that is developed by Nigerian scientists and engineers using local resources and knowledge. This can include anything from engineering to agricultural technology to computer science. Indigenous technology is important because it helps to ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are shared more evenly, and it also helps to promote national development and self-reliance, but unfortunately, Nigeria and Nigerians have not really developed the potential to develop some of the technological tools needed in that regard. Our appetite for foreign products is the bane of not looking inward, and it was further exacerbated by the harsh business environment, which doesn't support production, and the unfriendly economy. If the policy must succeed, there must be a deliberate effort by the government to encourage local manufacturers of such technology gadgets.
Although the infusion of technology into curriculum reviews is gaining momentum, there is definitely a growing focus on incorporating indigenous technology into the curriculum of science and technology students in Nigeria.
This is evident in the new curricula that are being developed by organizations like FSTEB and NASRDA, which aim to promote the use of locally developed technologies in schools. This is especially important in fields like engineering, where students need to be familiar with the specific technologies and materials that are used in Nigeria.
Additionally, many universities and colleges are now offering courses that focus specifically on indigenous technology in order to train students in the latest developments in this field. One of the main challenges facing the promotion of indigenous technology in the curriculum is the lack of adequate funding and resources.
In order to develop and implement indigenous technology, there needs to be a significant investment in research and development, as well as in infrastructure and facilities. This is something that the government and other organizations are working to address, but there is still a long way to go.
Additionally, there needs to be a greater emphasis on collaboration between schools, government agencies, and private companies in order to create a more comprehensive and effective approach to promoting indigenous technology. This will require a shift in mindset and culture, as well as a commitment to long-term investment.
However, the benefits of doing so are clear: by promoting indigenous technology, Nigeria can create a more sustainable and resilient economy, as well as increase its global competitiveness. Consequently, the skills and knowledge that students gain through the study of indigenous technology can be used to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the country, such as climate change, food security, and energy independence.
In short, the infusion of indigenous technology into the curriculum is a crucial step towards creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for Nigeria.
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