But perhaps the most exciting aspect of this new approach to education is its focus on lifelong learning. No longer should we be confined to the rigid structures of the classroom, where learning ends with graduation. Instead, we’re encouraged to pursue our passions, explore new interests, and unlock our full potential—all throughout our lives.
I recently had a conversation with some friends prompted by a radio programme, where reference was made to former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai, who organized a test for teachers in the state, which was failed by a majority of teachers. This prompted me to reflect on my journey through the labyrinth of formal education and the journey of subsequent generations through the conveyor belt on he road to being finished products. My argument on the testing of teachers for competency is that the issues plaguing education today run deeper than what isolated testing can fix, because education is in need of complete overhauling to make it more fit for purpose in the 21st century.
I have never subscribed to the “school na scam” maxim that is common among people today. No society can ever develop beyond it’s capacity to train young people and build them into productive adults that generate value for them. China became an industrial powerhouse, not because it offered cheap labour, but because it took advantage of mass educating a large population into skilled labour. India has become a major player in IT because they educated their people to play in that sector.
Looking at our education system, one can’t help but feel a sense of frustration that our methods of imparting knowledge at scale has not undergone any major changes, even though the world into which we are sending these people is fundamentally changing and will continue to change going forward. In a world that’s constantly evolving, with new industries sprouting up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, why does our education system remain stubbornly stagnant? Why are we still shackled to outdated teaching methods and rigid curriculum structures, when the world demands creativity, adaptability, and innovation? Why are we, to borrow the words of Barack Obama, hell bent on “sending our children into a 21st century world through the doors of a 20th century education.
For too long, we’ve trapped our young minds, with their boundless energy and limitless possibilities, in the suffocating embrace of standardized testing, forcing them to regurgitate facts and figures like a well-trained parrot. But what good is memorization in a world where information is readily available at the click of a button? It’s time to break free from the shackles of rote learning and embrace a new paradigm of education—one that prioritizes understanding over memorization, application over regurgitation.
Imagine a classroom where instead of memorizing equations, we grapple with the big concepts—the underlying principles that govern the universe. Where instead of reciting dates and names, we delve into the complexities of history, grappling with the nuances and contradictions that shape our world. Where instead of solving isolated math problems, we tackle real-world challenges, applying theoretical frameworks to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
But it’s not just about understanding—it’s about application. It’s about taking those theoretical frameworks and applying them to real-world problems, finding creative solutions to the challenges that confront us. It’s about learning by doing, getting our hands dirty and our minds engaged in the messy process of discovery.
Project-based learning offers a tantalizing glimpse into this brave new world of education. It’s not just about completing assignments and passing tests—it’s about tackling real-world problems, working collaboratively with peers, and pushing the boundaries of our knowledge. Whether it’s designing a sustainable city, launching a business venture, or tackling social issues in our community, project-based learning empowers us to make a tangible difference in the world around us.
But perhaps the most exciting aspect of this new approach to education is its focus on lifelong learning. No longer should we be confined to the rigid structures of the classroom, where learning ends with graduation. Instead, we’re encouraged to pursue our passions, explore new interests, and unlock our full potential—all throughout our lives.
It’s a journey of discovery, a quest for knowledge and understanding that knows no bounds. And as we prepare our young ones to embark on this journey, we must equip them to face an ever evolving world with a sense of excitement and anticipation, secure in the knowledge that the only certainty that life offers is that it will always be full of uncertainty. For the world is vast and boundless, full of wonders waiting to be explored and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Armed with a sense of purpose and direction, we must build a critical mass of young people who are ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead, armed with the tools and skills acquired along the way.
So let us break free from the chains of stagnation, let us embrace change and innovation, and let us forge a new path forward—a path that leads not just to knowledge, but to wisdom, not just to success, but to fulfillment. For the journey of education is not just about reaching a destination—it’s about savoring the adventure along the way.
Basah is a business development and communications consultant and trainer