Educationist advocates improved education system for children’s development

Educationist advocates improved education system for children’s development

Children

By Veronica Dariya

Bwari (Abuja), June 13, 2024 (NAN) Ms. Roseline Yuhe, a proprietor and education consultant has urged government and all relevant stakeholders in the education sector to improve on the education system, for the development of Nigerian children.

Yuhe gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Analysing the state of public schools in the country, she said that more value was needed for the future of Nigerian children, especially those in public schools.

“Many public schools suffer from poor infrastructure, including inadequate classrooms, lack of proper sanitation facilities, insufficient learning materials, and poorly maintained buildings.

“In some areas, students attend classes under trees or in dilapidated structures. Imagine little children sitting on the floor to learn and learning is supposed to take place in a conducive environment.”

Another challenge, Yuhe decried, was overcrowded classrooms.

According to her, the unfortunate challenge has extended to some private schools, where student-to-teacher ratios, far exceeds recommended standards.

“This makes it difficult for teachers to give individual attention to students and manage classrooms effectively,” she said.

Yuhe, however, said that improving school infrastructure was essential for creating a safe, healthy, and effective learning environment that benefited students, teachers, and the broader community.

“Learning in a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing environment can have positive psychological effects on students, boosting their morale, confidence, and enthusiasm.

“Investing in sustainable school infrastructure, such as energy-efficient buildings and environmentally friendly facilities, can teach students the importance of sustainability.

“Improved school infrastructure can lead to better educational outcomes, which in turn contribute to economic growth, where graduates are more likely to secure better jobs, start businesses, and contribute positively to the economy,” she said.

She added that supporting both public and private schools in communities with grants to further provide them with a conducive learning environment, was another proper way to invest in infrastructure development.

Yuhe also advised that policy makers could draft and insist on master plans that refused to tolerate slightly overcrowded classrooms in both public and private schools.

The process, she added, must be implemented and dedicated task forces of lawmakers could stay on top of such changes.

The proprietor also called for the need for professional development for teachers in these schools, while noting that underqualified teachers were tied to poor outcomes for pupils and students.

She added that policy makers must clarify standards for teachers seeking licenses to teach and also raise standards in areas where pupil/student outcomes were lowest.

She also opined that a curriculum review, to include more relevant content, such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship, was crucial and could better prepare students for the future. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DVK/OJI/AMM

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Abiemwense Moru