Experts have mooted the idea of a review of the schools’ curriculum in order to make the learning outcomes better appreciated and impactful.
This was the submission made by a cross-section of experts who spoke at a two-day free creative teachers training facilitated by Schools Development and Support International Ltd (SDS) in Lagos, recently.
While making a case for a curriculum review, Engr. Anthony Nwachukwu Isiani, the Managing Director/CEO of SDS International Ltd, observed that at the root of the crisis in the nation’s education sector is the sheer lack of creative ingenuity on the part of the teachers who have the responsibility to pass on the knowledge they have acquired.
According to him, the current curriculum does not make room for teachers to adequately deploy creativity in the learning environment which remains a critical success factor for socioeconomic development across all fronts.
Isiani, who himself is a skilled engineer, innovative inventor and education-solution provider, said, the team at SDS International Ltd, have been able to develop time-tested learning modules and designed toolkits that not just liberalised the teaching process but one that can drive efficiency, performance-focus and generally impactful.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Mrs. Chinonye Isiani, the Business Development Manager at SDS International Ltd, said one best way to ensure those vested with the responsibility of imparting knowledge stay true to their calling is to continue to be motivated to do so at all times.
Raising a poser, she asked, “If you stop teaching today, will your students miss your presence, will you feel the difference? How many of us here can remember one teacher who changed your life?”
Expatiating, Mrs. Isiani, who is also an Education Psychologist, noted matter-of-factly that the refresher course on the new teaching methodologies being spearheaded by the SDS was aimed at helping the tutors discover their innate abilities and ultimately make them better teachers who will be valued by their schools in particular and the society in general.
“We did not gather you here today to add more work to your life; rather you are here to understand the mind behind the profession. We designed this program to assist you , unveil your pedagogical expertise, discover your professional competence, protect your motivation, and remind you why your work matters and your power so you can teach well and live well! Because when teachers live well, they teach well and when teachers teach well, they change lives! Let me start by saying something honest, teaching is not just a job. It is emotional labour.”
Speaking earlier, Mrs. Jessica Eze, Customer Support Representative/Educational Consultant at SDS International Ltd, in her presentation which focused on what she termed ‘SDS Concept of Education,’ attempted a prognosis of the problem associated with the existing national education policy, which she admitted was a good vision but being hamstrung by paucity of funds, dearth of infrastructure, to mention just a few.
According to her, “Nigeria has a strong educational vision but vision without classroom creativity produces limited results. We are not here to criticise policy; rather, we are here to strengthen the system. The policy is visionary but the challenge is how we teach and that is what SDS Concept of Education has come to correct. SDS believes education must go beyond curriculum coverage because education is talent mining, continuous refinement, creative activation.”
The SDS Concept of Education, she reiterated, “Believes that if education is a continuum; then teaching must never become static, because static teaching cannot prepare students for the changing world. We believe education must produce academic competence, life competence. This is because excellence in school without excellence in life is incomplete education. Our goal is not to create dependent learners. Our goal is to create independent thinkers.
“SDS Concept of Education is anchored on five pillars including dynamism of education which demands a change in teachers and the methods of teaching, the continuous improvement of ideas, talents and solutions, as such every learner carries hidden strengths that is why we do not just teach as teachers, we should discover the championship in them through; intentional observation, identification of individual natural ability, diversification of tasks and encouragement. We must be willing to prepare this student to pass through training to appear as valuable assets in the society to the point of bringing the desired change we want to see. Remember, national development begins in the classroom. Therefore a creative teacher must produces; thinkers, innovators, solutions, providers and responsible citizens.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Mrs. Faith Igwe, Corporate Affairs Manager, at the SDS Int’l Ltd, who dwelt on the limiting factors plaguing the Nigerian education system, which as she observed was due in part to the inherited structure of the colonial rule with little or no local content embedded in the system especially homegrown solutions, shared experience of culture, beliefs.
“Nigeria did not originally design her current education system. Much of what we operate today was inherited from colonial administration structures. While that system introduced literacy, administration, and modern schooling, it was not primarily designed to develop indigenous innovation, cultural confidence, or economic independence. They taught us science not engineering and even the engineering has not been used for any production.”
She said, “This is therefore a wakeup call to the realisation of the limitation in the education system that was bequeathed to us by our colonisers. It is about recognising the gaps, and positioning teachers as solution carriers.”