With much focus of the country’s educational system being on passing examination rather than developing students’ ability to solve problems, the Chairman of AGI Construction sector, Rockson Dogbegah has called for a rethinking of the system, if we are to develop the relevant human resources for the future.
Speaking at the 10TH Anniversary durbar of Wallahs Academy, Dogbegah said, “the ‘chew, pour, pass and forget syndrome’ has thus become a major feature of our entire educational system, a significant limitation to the development of required human resources for development.”
This has affected the processes of education and the quality produced.
“There is therefore a need to review the vision, the people needed, processes required and the performance expected form the system.”
The lack of clarity has also significantly influenced the priority given to the development of education, as investment in educational infrastructure has been abysmal, to the extent that some students have woefully inadequate classrooms and dormitories.
Even so, investment in people in educational leadership like teachers and administrators; their motivation and development are so meagre that some of the best teachers and administrators have sought alternative employment.
Many of those who stay treat their full-time employment as part-time work due to weak supervision, thus, denying students of adequate time for interaction.
Dogbegah mentioned that, both parents and students must understand the goal of education, the processes to deliver the goal and their role in the process.
Usually, the best students are often those whose parents are deeply involved in the education of their wards.
“That is why making education free for all is a good step forward but requires more investment in building stronger relationships among parents, students and teachers,” he noted.
Therefore, besides reforming the power distance culture between teachers and students, which constraints relationship building, parents must find innovative ways to engage with the schools and teachers to understand the performance of their wards.
This requires significant commitment of time and other resources by all stakeholders, he said.
In finding ways to improve teacher-student relationship and communication for effective education, stronger Parent-Teacher Associations are a basic requirement for excellence, which must be driven by commitment to excellence and the interest of all stakeholders.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
