Identifying educational success in Africa

An education should be more than the basic curriculum. 

It is disheartening but true to know that not everyone who goes to school will necessarily achieve his or her full potential. However, making every girl count and reach her full potential is way beyond the current academics of which the African Educational System often offers. According to UNESCO Institute for Statistics data, almost 60% of youth between the ages of 15-17 in Africa are still not in school and this will surely affect their future. 

In order to make children become leaders of tomorrow, Governments will have to make education a platform where children can achieve their dream and not just undergo a basic curriculum. Organisations should look to ensure schools focus education on achieving the potential of the child and not only emphasising on the basic curriculum. 

 

Education should go beyond good grades and focus on developing students themselves. 

Dreams, ambitions, skills, abilities, capabilities and how we can achieve these should be the focus. Organisations and engagement programs should drive the attention of the African Educational System to the child’s personality and potentials. It is very important for students to undergo the basic curriculum which everyone is expected to know at a particular level or essential to further the education. However, education must importantly help students discover and develop their interests and not be compelled to pass all the ‘basics’ but excel in their passionate subjects. One way to do this is to celebrate outstanding achievement and excellence. Such as contributions to their community, committing to regular schooling, mentoring other children and going beyond and above their means to develop additional skills.

After all, many young people believe that it is better to learn a trade or go into business than go to school. The educational system should focus on developing student’s potential by implementing skill acquisition, vocational training, career paths, field trips, recreational activities and so on, in order to attract millions of students who are not in school and also convince parents to embrace education. These people become willing to attend schools and work towards achieving their dreams because of its interest in identifying and satisfying their passion.

 

The benefit of education to children is to give them bright futures by making them the best version of themselves. 

To achieve this, education should focus on students fulfilling their dream. Parents, guardians and children have to be convinced that being in school is beneficial than being on the street or at home so that they can be willing to learn and thrive towards success. However, education must be presented in a way that it shows interest in the student’s future.

Written by Oluwatomisin Ojebod, our Network Blogger for Peace Child 

The PCI team are currently building an online map of Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Programs. If you have a local programme near please send us details to share throughout our network info@peacechild.org

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