What to do for Africa’s education system to work

Written By Lateef Odetunde

NRTC Contributors is a News Round The Clock (NRTC) initiative established to give students, scholars and other readers the opportunity to air their opinions on various issues, topics and give reviews of trending episodes in our society and other parts of the world.

What To Do For Africa’s Education System To Work

According to George Washington Carver, the first black student and faculty member at Iowa University, “Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom.”

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As a result, it appears that African nations lag in some domains of human endeavour. 

This predicament emerges from the underestimation of the significance of education across the continent. 

Despite the purported dissemination of education to its citizens, the method and allocation of resources requisite for its establishment remain inadequate. Numerous African countries have neglected their education sectors, diverting focus to alternative areas such as mineral resources for empowerment. 

While optimizing mineral resources is prudent, the imperative of prioritizing education in these nations is equally paramount for equilibrium. 

Paradoxically, if education continues to be marginalized, the purported mineral wealth will suffer mismanagement and metamorphose into sheer squander. 

The African educational framework languishes in disarray due to prevailing apathy.

This prevailing disregard for education engenders obstacles for other sectors to flourish, resulting in African nations; incapacity to rival global counterparts across the spectrum of human pursuits.

Hence, considering the topic given, this essay will highlight some concepts that are sin qua non to transform education in Africa.

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As mentioned earlier, transforming the educational landscape need not be an insurmountable task. One avenue that holds immense promise in this endeavor is the seamless integration of technology into traditional education practices. 

In the context of African classrooms, where technology is being introduced to students, a key area that deserves more attention is the practical application of these technological concepts. Consider a scenario where students are learning about coding and programming. 

While theoretical lessons are valuable for building foundational knowledge, the true understanding and mastery of these skills come from hands-on experience. 

By providing students with access to coding platforms and software development environments, educators can enable them to write and test their code, fostering a deeper comprehension of programming principles. 

Moreover, the benefits extend to the teaching process itself. 

Imagine a classroom where interactive smart boards and multimedia presentations are used to convey complex ideas. Visual aids, animations, and simulations can be employed to elucidate abstract concepts, making learning more engaging and accessible to students.

This approach not only enhances comprehension but also lessens the burden on educators, who can utilize these tools to elucidate challenging topics effectively.

In terms of assessment, technology can bring about a paradigm shift. Online quizzes and assessments, tailored to individual students results about their learning levels can provide real-time feedback on

their progress. 

This allows educators to identify areas where students may be struggling and adapt their teaching methods accordingly.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence can analyze patterns in student performance, enabling personalized learning paths that cater to diverse learning styles. 

On the subject of teacher evaluation, technology opens up new horizons for accountability. 

Imagine a platform where teachers can submit digital portfolios showcasing their teaching strategies, innovative classroom activities, and student achievements. 

School administrators and governing bodies could then assess these portfolios to ensure that educators are meeting their responsibilities effectively. 

This streamlined approach to evaluation not only ensures transparency but also encourages a culture of continuous improvement among educators.

Furthermore, an additional catalyst for effecting positive change in the transformation of education in Africa pertains to the incorporation of subjects that presently remain absent from the curriculum, particularly within secondary schools.

Acknowledging the pivotal role that secondary education assumes in the broader educational landscape, it becomes clear that these institutions hold considerable potential as game-changers for educational reform in Africa. 

A notable step in this direction is to consider restructuring conventional subjects such as Physics and Chemistry, akin to the approach adopted in the Western educational framework. By breaking down these subjects into diverse branches, students gain the advantage of a balanced curriculum while being afforded greater flexibility in charting their career trajectories.

Concurrently, the introduction of forward-looking subjects such as Programming, Astronomy, and Robotics can serve as conduits, effectively situating African students on par with their global

peers. 

Embracing these subjects not only instills an awareness of the digital landscape but also facilitates the seamless integration of scientific knowledge into the daily lives of African youth.

However, it is crucial to recognize that the efficacy of such transformations hinges significantly on the empowerment of educators. As the adage goes, “A student is only as proficient as their teacher”.

In this context, prioritizing teachers’ training is paramount. 

Educators must be equipped with the proficiency to navigate these new disciplines, ensuring their comfort and familiarity before students embark on this educational journey. With educators illuminated, the path for their students becomes markedly smoother, paving the way for a more engaging and productive learning experience.

Equally crucial is the significant role that government funding plays in the transformation of education in Nigeria. 

Upon revisiting the points raised earlier, it becomes increasingly apparent that translating these ideas into reality is intrinsically linked to the availability of robust financial backing.

In essence, the bridge between conceptualization and actual implementation is constructed through the infusion of adequate funds. 

This financial support not only facilitates the execution of transformative initiatives but also ensures their sustainability and continued progress over time.

In summary, the integration of technology into education in Africa has the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning. 

By prioritizing practical application, interactive teaching tools, personalized assessment, and transparent teacher evaluation, we can pave the way for a more effective and inclusive educational system. 

Also, introducing forward-looking subjects can help in fast-tracking this reform.

N.B: NRTC Contributors is a News Round The Clock (NRTC) initiative established to give students, scholars and other readers the opportunity to air their opinions on various issues, topics and give reviews of trending episodes in our society and other parts of the world.