In the global space, success looks very different than what it’s used to be. The world continuously evolves, and our own version of the world has become more complex. It has been observed that the more complex the world becomes, the more creative we need to be to meet its challenges, and this is evident in the education sector and the workplaces in most developed countries. People now need to be creative to succeed, we now need communication skills, people now need to have the ability to think critically, we need technology skills, problem solving ability, media literacy, innovation skills, self-direction and so much more. And yet our education system is not doing much to salvage the appalling state of the Nigerian education system.
It is disheartening that the Nigerian education system has remained almost stagnant and sluggish in its development. Unfortunately, our children, the future of our country, are still being taught in the same way as their forefathers. In some locations in the country, even worse than their fore parents. According to John Dewey, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” Our education system needs a complete overhaul and only then can we meet the pace of the rest of the world.
Most private schools in Nigeria are doing the much they could, to bridge the gap between us and the rest of the world, however, it is not enough. In order to carry every child along, the government must take lead in the education ministry.
21ST CENTURY STUDENTS
- Generation Z – born between 1995 and 2009 – most do not remember life without the internet, and have had technology like smartphones, iPads, smart-boards and other devices available throughout most of their schooling.
- Generation Alpha – born since 2010 – they are younger than smartphones, the iPad, 3D television, Instagram, and music streaming apps like Boomplay, YouTube Music and Spotify. This is the first generation likely to see in the 22nd century in large numbers.
The categorisation above is the reality of today’s schools. The students in our schools today are intelligent, independent and extremely capable. They are skilled with technology and comfortable with global and intercultural communication. We can expect that future generations are going to have even more experience in these areas.
Therefore, the ideal education for the 21st century Nigerian child in the contemporary world, is one that should discover and nurture the innate talent of the child and arm them with the right skills to be productive and successful in the world that they will meet.
At St. John Vianney Science College, one of our core values is “Love for Learning”, our primary aim is to nurture intellectual curiosity through engaging an enquirer led teaching. We encourage students to work independently and collaboratively as they demonstrate creativity and innovation in their approach to solving problems. Students are always provided with safe, stimulating, and supportive learning environment, allowing them the courage to take calculated risks and to learn and improve from feedback. We use innovative teaching methods and technology to further enhance our student’s mastery and enjoyment of their studies helping to foster a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
