Settling Over 10 million children

Do we need to settle the millions of children that are out of school? absolutely! Here's partly how the Minister plans to do it.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, on Thursday last week said, the Federal Government was working to address the problem of the high number of out-of-school children.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation report ranked Nigeria as the country with the highest number of out-of-school-children in the world, with 10.5 million of the 57 million children out of school in 2011.

Rufai said 125 day and boarding schools were being constructed under the Almajiri Education Programme. Eighty of these, she said, had been completed { while President Jonathan said 120 has been completed this week}... and a similar programme is targeting girl’s education,

According to her, comprehensive attention is being given to the development of new infrastructure and rehabilitation of existing ones to create access for additional pupils.

She revealed that government had earmarked an initial N15bn for the rehabilitation of laboratories in federal and state polytechnics, while another N109.4bn had been provided for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in five phases under the High Impact Initiative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. Fifty-eight federal and state colleges of education are benefitting from the construction of micro-teaching laboratories at a cost of N11.6bn. This is to enhance the application of modern technology in the teaching-learning process.

According to the UNESCO report, the amount of aid to basic education which Nigeria received in 2011 was 28 per cent lower than it received in 2010. Nigeria is in the top 10 countries for the largest decrease in aid from 2010-2011.

LC: Again, it is not surprising to hear that the aid we receive for basic education has decreased. Why? Corruption in Nigeria can be seen by the youngest and untamed eyes. Getting these kids off the streets is an issue that must be addressed alongside if we are looking to be successful. Will there be provision for other needs - food, uniforms etc? 

Let me say emphatically, that the government has come up with a few brilliant ideas, solutions and policies needed to begin solving the enormous problems facing the sector. However, we need to sign an armistice between policies and implementation! When we choose to keep out corruption and political bigotry, we will be in transit to a better educated country. I continue to be surprised that we have refused to keep education out of the mishmash and until we become experts at implementing policies, change seems far away.

Time is not our friend! Our neighbours, friends and foes are mostly all on an upward moving ride - open for clear discussions with experts on their way forward. Whether we like it or not, soon enough, the 'oil wells' will be desiccated. A good education system has all the answers! Mr 'To Whom It May Concern', lead us to that place..... where we will all be saved! 

Five Holiday Indoor Activities to Explore with your Kids

Parents and teachers alike worry about their students losing hard-earned skills over school breaks and even weekends.  That's why so many parents work so hard to make sure their kids are learning, reading and growing.  Here is a list of fun and easy at-home activities you can do to keep their knowledge fresh.

Encourage Journaling:  Journaling is a great way to explore learning and practice writing.  Encourage your child to journal using prompts. Or, Start a child and parent journal. Encourage your child to write about what they are reading.  Then, write back to your child, asking him or her to elaborate or telling them about some of your favorite books. You could even ask them to write a chapter by chapter summary of chosen books read. Do encourage reading 'A-chapter-A-day' or 'A-book-A-day' depending on the age group. It could picture books for much younger kids that are not yet reading.

 

Let Your Kid Use Your iPhone (or iPod or iPad):  We know you probably don’t want to give it up, but there are hundreds of top-rated educational apps for iPods, iPhones and iPads that will keep your kids engaged and learning.

   

Virtual Pen Pals: While social media tools like Facebook and twitter may be off-limits for your younger children, parents can encourage kids to stay in touch with classmates via private messengers or email.  This not only gets them communicating, but it gets them writing and reading as well. 

Create Learning Experiences Through Play:  Set up a science experiment with rocks and seeds outside or create a "Mini med-school" with your kid's stuffed animals - kids love animals and I am about to explore this...bet it will be insightful. Even playing board games can be educational if you want it to be. 

Incorporate Music into Their Learning:  Music can be a great way to encourage vocabulary growth and even mathematical comprehension.  So, pick up some favorite CD's, play songs from your Phones, iPads or computer and listen with your kids. Practice singing some known ones with them as you might just be discovering an innate talent. 

Question for you:  How do you keep your kids learning at this time?

The Benefits of Failure - Games : A 'game changer'

Failure teaches and empowers us with great skills. Surprised? Don't be. Read this and I hope it helps us all to deal with any form of failure our kids experience however measured; and see how it can become a major learning breakthrough.

Justin Marquis PH.D writes.....

Failure teaches many critical skills, among them:

Perseverance – Small failures that can be overcome teach students to keep trying until they succeed. There is little that we do in life or our jobs that is an instant success every time. Achievement is a process filled with incremental gains and small setbacks. Games involve players in this system and make it part of the learning process.

Resilience – Students must learn that their failures do not define them and that they are not made less by experiencing them. In fact, they are made better and stronger – more resilient – by facing them. This is something that they will require throughout their lifetimes and which the best games teach through adaptive difficulty levels.

Creativity – Seldom can a problem be solved by repeatedly doing the same thing over and over. More often than not, innovation is a key component to overcoming failures. The earlier that students learn this skill, the more proficient they will become at doing it. This ability to be creative in the face of adversity is something that defines the most successful members of an innovation-based economy and that is modeled in good games.

Adaptability – Students who encounter failures in their learning must also become adaptable in their approaches to solving problems and in their understanding of the way the world works. If you succeed every time, there is no challenge to your understanding of reality. If however, you encounter obstacles that must be overcome on the way to success you will learn that there are a wide range of reasons for that failure, possibly including fundamental flaws in your understanding of how the world works. Developing the flexibility to adapt to these changing understandings allows students to become successful in whatever context they may find themselves in the future.

How to ask for help - One thing that failure often prompts people to do is ask for help. This is, however, a learned skill that happens with intellectual maturity, and is not a natural part of many young people’s strategy for dealing with the world. Though it is one of the most successful strategies for learning.

Acting Independently - Many games also push players to act independently and decisively with little advanced notice. Failure to act quickly in a game will lead to losing more often than not, but players learn to adapt to being assertive agents of their own fate – what more could a prospective employer want?

www.onlineuniversites.com

Innovations in learning does not begin in success. Usually, you find that when one fails at a given task, innovation causes them to discover one more way of doing it differently a next time.

He hawked bread for 3 years...

In his wildest imagination, he never believed he could be a university graduate, let alone a vice-chancellor. But Prof. Debo Adeyewa is now the Vice-Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Mowe, Ogun State.

From being a pupil in a quranic school, to an apprentice carpenter and a bread seller on the streets of Jos, the Inisa, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State-born Adeyewa endured poverty and deprivation to seek education.

“I was born in 1957. That was the year the first satellite was sent to space. We were so poor that my father had to work as a labourer on another man’s farm before we could eat. It was that bad.

“One day, my uncle, who was a carpenter, came from Jos. When he was going back, I followed him to learn the work of a carpenter. In Jos, I was learning this and at the same time selling bread for people to raise money to feed. We later moved to Yauri, in present Kebbi State, where I continued the trade, helping women to sell bread,” he recalls.

At Yauri, he attended a technical college between 1978 and 1980. After the completion of the technical college, he sat for the then General Certificate of Education examination. His result was good enough to secure admission for him to the University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

With a collaboration between  OAU and Meteorology University, Uppsala, Sweden, Adeyewa obtained a PhD degree in satellite meteorology.

“The story of my life, so far,  has taught me never to look down on anybody and to know that without God, I cannot do anything. My advice to ‘helpless’ youths is to know that things are better now than they were before now. They should find opportunities. I found opportunities in selling bread, though it was not easy. I looked at my life as an investment. So, they should look at theirs like that too.

“They should believe in God and in themselves. They should be disciplined, should have integrity, pursue excellence, embrace team work and always be ready to offer service to anybody that needs their services, Adeyewa adds.

LC: Inspirational isn't it? Yes, we should encourage our youth to have integrity, embrace team work and to be caring! How do we do this? The period of developing the spirit of cooperation and communication is best harnessed at the early childhood education stage which the government has left in the hands of the private sector with minuscule supervision if any. We are yet to hand down decent education to the millions of students around our public schools. I hate to say that using what is obtainable at the private schools to judge the level of our academia, is like comparing the lifestyle of our public office holders to the well being of the populace.

Additionally, we may want to scratch the part that says that, things are better now than they were before! We know they are not! The educational opportunities that presented at that time are not obtainable in the same way; there are much more people applying for so little opportunities. The Universal Basic Education (UBE) has a great framework upon which his positions should thrive but it seems as though we have become experts at botching implementation of policies.

Finally, I believe that against all odds, one who has opportunities presented their way merged with a natural knack for learning could certainly make a good career as he did.  We are a 'certificate driven' nation and until those who are responsible for implementation of the current UBE program become 'born again' or 'radicalized', it may be a tough call to realize the good Professor's hopes.

 So, I encourage everyone who has to struggle through to school to keep at it. Prof. Adeyewa is an  'OUTLIER';  pure and simple! To the positive mind, much availeth!

Into the minds of 10-year old Nigerian kids

Mr Jimi Disu and I

I had the privilege of being on a radio program called 'The Discourse' with Mr Jimi Disu on Classic FM 97.3, Lagos. I also had an 'aha' moment being on the programme two Sundays ago as it has certainly become one of those experiences I would always remember. A group of four 10 year olds took us on a trip into their thoughts about Nigeria. One thing stuck with me; they are aware of the putrefaction that is currently holding sway in Nigeria and they want NOTHING to do with it.

I left with a great sense of hope believing that our children are becoming aware of the necessity for change. Asked if they would want to become political office holders in the future, they all unanimously said "NO"! Shocking, isn't it? Can't say the same for my 7 year old son who has one of his dreams to become the President of Nigeria. We tell him that he must begin his journey by growing up to be a man of example, one who will match his words with actions, one of exemplary character and intelligence. He always gets excited as that is for him, the easier part (in his words)!

I was equally proud of the kind of education these 10 year olds have been exposed to (all private schools). However, I sadly acknowledge that I cannot confidently say the same for majority of Nigerian kids who have to be in our public schools. Hence, these sensitive perceptions and conclusions made by the four kids on the program do not represent the views of our average 10 year old in the country today. I can say that we have a growing population that are significantly well educated who can make corrections by commensurate thought processes, important discourse and actions.

The kids on the program were articulate and informative - an expository essay of what may become Nigeria tomorrow.

Here are some photos from the show with the kids and I. Great kids!

lovely kids

I was quite surprised at some of their views!

How To Raise A Gifted Child

In my usual researchers' mode, I stumbled on this and I knew instantly it was a 'must-share'. Now, I intend to do more of all the activities spoken about, however, the raising of a 'gifted child' may not be an appropriate terminology since the parameters for measuring a gifted child is evolving. Interestingly, you are ultimately guaranteed of raising a brilliant and resourceful child with a good measure of success. And you will never go wrong with the 'read, read, read' practice. It always works. Read and do practice.

Talk, talk, talk. Ask your kid open-ended questions, like “What would happen if we stopped for ice cream on the way to the beach?” Such questions help a child reflect on what he knows and tell him his opinion matters. Don't worry if he's too young to understand. Likewise, don't be afraid to use relatively sophisticated words. They would figure it out if familiar multiple words are used alongside.

Read, read, read. Research has repeatedly shown that access to books and one-on-one reading time is a predictor of school success. “Reading stimulates the brain to make connections and builds background knowledge about the world,” says Kim Davenport, chief program officer at Jumpstart, a national early-literacy organization. “Reading is the foundation of all learning and will enable a child to absorb and apply content from all areas, including math and science.” Modeling good reading habits may give them an edge. “Seeing parents reading for enjoyment will be contagious,” says Davenport. Invite your child to cozy up on the couch with you to read. Keep books out—in baskets, on shelves, and on coffee tables. And share what you're reading with your child, and ask him to do the same. This will not only spark conversation but build his vocabulary and comprehension.

Praise results. Instead of just saying "you are a star". Say that you are a star for solving this or that problem.

Giving the right props is key, says Stephanie Rosales, a licensed educational psychologist in La Quinta, CA: “Children who are praised for solving a problem tend to be more motivated in school than children who are told they're smart. The latter, ironically, often become frustrated when something doesn't come easily.” Say stuff like "I like the way you figured out how to solve this problem".

Seize teachable moments You can help your child sharpen school skills as you go about your day. Say you drive by a windmill. Instead of saying “Hey, a transformer!” ask a question: “What do you think they do?” Encouraging observation of details will help your child do the same in class, says Rosales. And a trip to the store can be a chance to build vocabulary, math skills, and money smarts. Tell a 2-year-old the names of fruits as you bag them. Ask a 3-year-old to find four cans of drinks. Have a 5-year-old write down which cereal she wants. Older kids can compare prices and sizes.

Whether your child is advanced or average, the best thing you can do is be involved. Taking them on this journey of self-discovery is what'll drive their personal genius. In one word: What do you most want your kid to be? Happy? Funny? Confident? Loved? I am betting that many of us will say even silently a “Professor of Science". Your goal is to help your child be the best he or she can be, right? So, use all of the above to discover what their strengths are.

Resist the urging temptation to praise your child for every "OK" job they do so they don't get stuck in not learning to take responsibility for actions taken.

www.parenting.com

Watch this Inspiring Video: Kids don't learn from people they don't like

Rita F. PIERSON inspires me. I love this speech.

True! Kids don't learn from people they don't like. All learning comes from understanding. An understanding that is nurtured by relationships. How I wish that all educators will appreciate the power of relationships in every learning situation.

To my colleagues, it is obvious that we will 'TEACH' anyway. Let's inspire our students each day by establishing good relationships first. Why? We are in the business of building lives.

Watch This Video: How to Engage Under-performing Students

A new sense of educational order needs to emerge in our schools such that there will be new relationships and interaction between teachers and students which will in turn bring about a new concept of our curriculum.

Two key strategies here are: Interactive Learning and Non-Negotiables. Watch  and share this important strategy that changed the story of one school from almost being shut down.

  

4 Common Pronunciation Mistakes That Could Drive One Crazy

I read this from an education blogger called Shelley Emling and I was kind of surprised that the 'owners' of the language get it wrong too. Whether we disown or accept English language as ours, it is proper and polite to pronounce it well - especially when one is nabbed in the habit of 'phonology'.

1. Used/Use

If you've previously done something, you USED to do it. For example, one would write or say "I used to go running, but then I broke my leg." One would not write or say "I use to go running, but then I broke my leg."

2. Various words with the letter "x" or "x" sound

When you say "escape" it is "es-cape" and not "ex-cape." And when you say "ask" it is ass-k" and not "axe." Also, it is ex-cept and not es-cept.

3. Supposedly

There simply is no such word as "supposably." And it's "supposed to" and not "suppose to."

4. Anyway/anyways

Come on... there is no "s" at the end of the word "anyway."

I actually feel bothered especially in the X in place of  S or vice versa - it is so wrong people! The 'used' term is a nice awakening because it is taken for granted here in Nigeria more often than should be. The 'suppose to' is common pronunciation mistake here and should be corrected. 

For 'anyways' Shirley, my disclaimer as it pertains to its use is that it is often used more as a slang than a proper word.....but this is not to dilute its wrongness.   

Click to read her post here.

Never Give In, Never Give In, Never Never Never!

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense." Winston Churchill, 1941

Winston Churchill repeated a grade during elementary school and, when he entered Harrow, was placed in the lowest division of the lowest class. Later, he failed the entrance exam twice to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He was defeated in his first effort to serve in Parliament. He became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later proclaimed to the students of Harrow School {his alma mata), after becoming the Prime Minister the above speech.

No leader in history, perhaps, matched Churchill's capacity for blurring the lines between speech and battle cry. This is one of his best. It's an urban legend that the "Never give in" exhortation comprised the totality of his address; Churchill went on for several more paragraphs. But there's no question that this, far and away, was what Harrow's students remembered.

What lessons can we learn from Winston Churchill's speech to the students. Remember he had become a leader at the time of this speech.

• Firstly, every child has the potential to be someone great whether they  are topping the class or not.
• Secondly, he was persistent and was positive until he became successful. Here, I speak directly to the parents who think their children are not doing great in school. Be persistent and patient, do not give up, keep working with your child and ensure that they bring the best of their ability. You are sure to raise an accomplished child in the future.
• Lastly, Churchill was a leader who cared about the perceptions and character of the students. Our eyes are collectively filled with tears, begging and seeking for leaders who will take Nigeria to the next level. Your words (leaders), if pronounced passionately with sustainable intent will change Nigeria.

And guess where 'change' will start from? THE SCHOOLS.

Give them your voice and support. Therein lies the magic!

Big Big Words! Vanity upon Vanity

From a page on this blog - Anecdotes of My Day...
constitutes my daily experiences. link

Big, Big Words!

Doing a lot of reading recently and I am totally enjoying all the new information I am getting. One terminology that has refused to leave me is NIHILISM. Nihilism is a state of nothingness. Nihilism is loss of meaning or seriousness. If nihilism were complete there would be no significant private or public issues. Nihilism is the fundamental movement in the history of the West. Materialism is a symptom of nihilism. Materialism is the view that all meaning has gone from the cosmos, nature, and culture. Values are objective, explicit options which imply the existence of choice. (Source: ERIC)

Is life itself meaningful? Now the bottom line here is that in the state of a loss of meaning, all educational activity lacks meaning with particular reference to cultural practices. Example, a close friend of mine does not really get why she needs to teach her kids her local language. Her argument is that it is meaningless and not useful to him! Is he going to become the business mogul she knows he will become through the use of the language? In his time, how many people is he going to have to speak it to? Is it for survival?

If we look at her 'nihilist' arguments for the transmission of language deeply, we may begin to see reasons. In the transmission of values, a good question to ask ourselves constantly is..."does it have meaning?"

Now, here I am in my world, thinking, if so, many cultural practices are valueless - in a state of nothingness. If they are valueless, what makes a people unique? Are we human beings equally in a state of nothingness - nihilism? Do you get my drift? If you do, you are definitely in 'the spirit' with me because I guess we must find some meaning at some point as human beings.... otherwise we need not exist.

Is the teaching of handwriting still important in this technology driven age?

Is handwriting still important? Educators are saying that basic handwriting skills are still necessary for success in schooling and life. I play a dual role as a mother/teacher and I have found it extremely hard to get my son to write the way I would love him to. I see his 'excitability' in his pattern of handwriting. He just won't settle to write well a lot of times but teaching him to write frequently is helping him learn to be more detailed. It has worked on his study skills and his spellings.

Fears of handwriting's demise prompted North Carolina Congresswoman Pat Hurley to draft a bill, mandating that script be taught in all elementary schools in the state. It passed unanimously in the state House earlier this month.

Jeffrey Reaser, an associate professor of linguistics at North Carolina State University, says a sense of "nostalgia" is not enough reason to force students to learn something that's "not crucial to their education".

Meanwhile, some classrooms in the state have begun teaching students handwriting on iPads and iPods.

I think that it is important because it helps children acquire the skill of writing by hand almost as they would a second language. It is wise to continue teaching handwriting and we need to continue to help kids be 'bilingual' by hand.

There is still a clear emphasis on maintaining those building blocks within the education system. Some experts conducted a study that looked at the ability of students to complete various writing tasks — both on a computer and by hand.

The study, published in 2009, found that when writing with a pen and paper, participants wrote longer essays and more complete sentences and had a faster word production rate.

In a more recent study, they looked at what role spelling plays in a student's writing skills and found that how well children spell is tied to how well they can write.

"Spelling activates some of the thinking parts of the brain in the frontal lobes." one expert said. "We think that it is a cognitive portal, because it helps us access our vocabulary, word meaning and concepts … It is allowing your written language to connect with ideas."

Spelling helps students translate ideas into words in their mind first and then to transcribe "those word representations in the mind into written symbols in the external environment (on paper or keyboard and monitor)," the study said.

Seeing the words in the "mind's eye" helps children to not only turn their ideas into words, says Berninger, but also to spot spelling mistakes when they write the words down and to correct them over time.

In our computer age, some people believe that we don't have to teach spelling because we have spell checks. But when a child has a functional spelling ability of about a fifth grade level, they won't have the knowledge to choose the correct spelling among the options given by the machine."

I dare to say that hand writing has a lot to do with discipline, clarity of thought and ability to focus. But then perhaps, these are not considered useful things any more in this "copy and paste age". I'm wondering! Have you noticed that an increasing number of people can not spell correctly any more?  

What is wrong in this picture?

My husband has a friend who believes strongly in flogging or whipping his children and of course using the corporal punishment. He says they are turning out to be the best behaved students in their school. I read this and I think it is worth reading. 

Think of being fed and clothed by children you had whipped -- whose flesh you had scarred! Think of feeling in the hour of death upon your withered lips, your withered cheeks, the kisses and the tears of one whom you had beaten -- upon whose flesh were still the marks of your lash! The whip degrades; a severe father teaches his children to dissemble; their love is pretence, and their obedience a species of self-defence. Fear is the father of lies.

We all know of many instances where the abused, the maligned, and the tortured have returned good for evil -- and many instances where the loved, the honored, and the trusted have turned against their benefactors, and yet we know that cruelty and torture are not superior to love and kindness. 

When the children are young and weak, the parents and teachers who are strong beat the children in order that they may be affectionate/perform excellently. Now, when the children get strong and the parents and teachers are old and weak, should the children not beat them, so that they too may become kind and loving or deserving/exemplary?

Do tell! Do you not think that this picture will only do more harm than good? I am a teacher and I have indeed got the best out of my students without ever using this 'hideous' and 'soul-impoverishing' method! The 'post-stone' age period is long gone. Perhaps, we might be breeding unmindful citizens.

Back To Blogging!

Once again, I have been unavoidably absent for a much longer time than I'd hoped for. I have been attending to very many matters that are gainful....but I am baaacckkk! However, I will be writing my exams in school soon (currently running a Masters program) and I'm hopeful that I should be able to dazzle my lecturers having learnt so much in such a little time. 

I have a little advice; do not just read novels or soft sell magazines. There is a lot information available for  the taking. Read journals, articles, abstracts, self-help books and most importantly educating textbooks of interest in your field. In Dr. Igwe's (Curriculum Theory Ph.D) words, "READ WIDELY!" You will be amazed at how much good you  will be doing to yourself. You gradually become your own little encyclopedia.

I promise to be as constant as the rising sun (smile). Thanks to as many that continued to follow the blog. You are appreciated.

Rhoda

Obama and Early Childhood Education

“Tonight, I propose working with states to make high-quality preschool available to every child in America. Every dollar we invest in high-quality early education can save more than seven dollars later on – by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy, even reducing violent crime … studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own. We know this works.”

--President Barack Obama

State of the Union, February 12, 2013

The world has become a global place because of the quick access to information; many thanks to the current social media growth. We are now able to learn from all parts of the world at the speed of light; for those who choose to. The time has come for Nigerian stakeholders to look into Early childhood Education.

President Obama in his statement showcasing his vision to transform America's education during the Democratic National Congress in 2012 spoke passionately about Early Childhood Education. He is now putting his words into action after his State of the Union address a few days ago. If the U.S.A; still tagged as having one of the world's best educational system are planning to include the Pre-K class into their public school system, (by the way Pre-K is our Nursery school version), why should not follow this great example swiftly and start chasing our dreams. Whether we like it or not, the future of  Nigeria lies in the hands of these young ones. We give them a high quality education from birth, they churn out a better Nigeria for us. I am hopeful.

The evidence of the importance of Early Childhood Education is clearly highlighted in the picture I got from the blog of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - www.impatientoptimists.org. 

See picture below

Happy Birthday to the face behind 'The Learning Craft' - ME!

LIS 2011 Kindergarten Graduation 

Oh yes! That's me doing exactly what I love to do! I have turned a year older today and my birthday wish is that  all stakeholders in the Nigerian education industry will appreciate and provide quality education to her children and give quick access to it. 

It is only when we have achieved this or are in the process of achieving this that we can begin to say that we are on the path to peace and progress.

Happy Birthday Rhoda! 

Two Classrooms - Two Dreams - Two World's Apart

I have been away for quite some time and I sincerely apologize. I recently started pursuing an M.Ed and it is certainly taking a toll on my blogging hours. I am back though after having adjusted to a new routine; and it is great to be back doing what I love to do. I hope to be sharing a lot of what I will be learning as it is already getting very interesting. So, I resume with my Valentine's day thought. 

Tell me, what kinds of dreams could emanate from these two classrooms?

This year's valentine's day came to me with thoughts of nicely decorated classrooms; full of colorful and effective teaching aids. The kind that promotes and boosts visual learning as well as inciting the spirit of creativity in children. I thought about how many Nigerian children in their nooks and crannies; in  uncountable classrooms around the country are learning in uncomfortable, uninspiring and drab classrooms. How can I even dare to speak about beautifully decorated classrooms when many children are currently learning without roofs and windows? You probably may not fully put into perspective how quickly a drab classroom can quench an honest desire and hunger for education e.g. the classrooms in my Alma Mater. 

I thought about the kinds of dreams that would come from two children learning at the same time in the separate classrooms above. Can they have similar hopes and dreams? Are they viewing the world the same way? What kind of leaders would they be if they were both to become Presidents in the future? Can they share close leadership qualities?

I thought about the influence of a creatively adorned classroom with goal-oriented visual aids and the direct effect it has on learning and the learners. I thought about as many Nigerian children whose ideologies could have been easily enriched with brilliants thoughts; how their world could have been perceived differently or even changed completely by simply being given the privilege of learning in an 'effectively decorated' classroom! 

A perfect valentine's day gift from me in the future would be to beautifully decorate as many classrooms as I can. 

Reason: To have been able to help to inspire one more child to dare to have an education. Yes, I can because I am certain that a cause such as this one has the capacity to change many lives and indeed Nigeria.

I am hopeful!

When A Hero Disappoints Me

It is still somewhat difficult to imagine that a sportsman millions looked up to; a man who took the world by storm would be caught in such a strong, tactical and technical web of doping! It is my honest opinion that Lance Armstrong is a skillful cyclist to have won the first time; but for me, it is about the millions of hopes and aspirations dashed by this experience for the young ones.

There is something in human nature that longs for heroes and saviors.  We endlessly seek people to look up to, be inspired by. Whether in the family, politics, sports, business, or religion, time after time we put people on pedestals and look up to them and expect more of them than is sometimes justifiable.

"Kids often confuse celebrity with heroism," says family counselor Sherri Young. This is true! Being prosperous in a profession or the ability to play football, sing well or run fast doesn't necessarily make someone a hero, but young children and teenagers don't see that. They see success and fame and they think to themselves...."I want that too!"

And when those heroes fall, it can be disappointing to kids.

It is perfectly OK for kids to admire affluence and successful athletes but schools and parents should strive to keep that admiration from reaching the level of worship. One way to do that is to give your children other people — people your school and household approve of — to admire.

The first thing to do is for parents especially to be exemplary role models to their kids. Studies have shown that kids look up to their parents and parents need to keep this in mind. The 'weak' rule of 'do as I say not as I do' will never hold water with children. They become what they see from you. Parents also should take the opportunity to point out other positive role models to their children.

If you want to know what your child thinks, ask who they admire and what they think makes someone a hero. Explain that many people have admirable qualities, but if you look hard, you can find something not to like in everybody. Soon enough, you will find out what type of value system your child has imbibed or is imbibing.

I think that any time your child hears of a disappointing news about their hero; that it is then a good time to tell them your honest opinion. Whether it's an issue of breaking the law as we see in every 'driving minute' of our daily lives in Lagos or just about values, it immediately begs of a good chance to talk to your child about what you believe and why. Is it OK to use performance-enhancing drugs? Why not? Should you have premarital sex? What are the consequences? Should the social media dictate your image and style? What should then be your guiding light?

These are invaluable teachable times.

Book, Line and Sinker - Is our love for reading eroding?

Titles like Eze goes to school, African Writers Series, Things Fall Apart, Oba Ovanwenren, The Lion and the Jewel, The Gods Are Not To Blame, Weep Not Child and writers such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy among others were every student’s delight and prized possession many years ago. Many of us recited quotations from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar , As You Like it etc. One question readily comes to mind when I think about the current reading culture in Nigeria. Is it possible to enjoy reading or be encouraged to read when there is no electricity? That is a thought for another day!

The advent of computer games found in play-stations , smart phones and the iPad as well as the easy internet access to information seem to have taken over the minds of students today. I have to say that I am guilty of giving such access to my children as well but I draw a thick line as much as I can. Why? It is because I understand that we collectively have more to loose if I don't safeguard the reading culture in my home. My three year old daughter loves books so I intend to introduce a lot of books and read more to her.

I was talking to a friend earlier today about this topic and it suddenly dawned on us that we don't have a single library in the part of Lagos we live in! Is this not telling of where our reading culture is going? A lot more people are lacking content these days - no wonder the now popular saying "IT IS WELL" thrives in our vocabulary! I am worried!

There has to be some drastic move towards rekindling the passion to read among young children and students. Where are the people who will build libraries not 'high-rises'? Where are the people who will set up book clubs even if it were to be in the small spaces in their homes if possible?

Why is the sustainability of the reading culture important? It is no longer news that the Nigerian reading habit is generally low and this has been confirmed by several experts and as part of efforts to stem the tide, the federal government launched the Bring Back the Book, BBB project on December 20, 2010. This initiative is a brilliant idea as I hope that it is sustained.

Some of the plagues to hit us if we don't act quickly will include low intellectual capacity, illiteracy, uninformed youth and additional poverty of the mind among others.

 When a people read, you have:

• a country of avid, lifelong readers who read widely and value literature and varying cultures.
• an education system that integrates reading, library use and information at the core of the curriculum at all levels
• a system that encourages reading for pleasure and lifelong learning.
• a flourishing writing and publishing industry to support the increasing demand for books and other reading materials

Our families are at the epicenter of this matter as it has become imperative to start correcting this ill  from home. From their early childhood stage, begin to share books with children and read with them. Read billboards, sign posts, street names, labels, newspapers and books together! You may just be harnessing the skills of Nigeria's next Nobel Laureate! Recently, the Vice Chancellor of a university said to his students, "leave Facebook and face your books"....funny but true. 

From the lips of a 15 year old author - Groomology 102 (School Success)

Yes.....from the lips of a 15 year old author of 'No fault of Mine' named Ruth Momodu !

These young minds know more than we think they know or more than we will like them to know.

The falling standard of our education cannot be blamed on low parental involvement completely because there are many factors to consider. Factors that include teacher quality, training, methods of teaching, student preparedness, curriculum effectiveness and delivery, infrastructure and poor governance.

It is seemingly rare but you could find good teachers that will influence a child's intellectual abilities positively without parental assistance or guidance. This usually happens when the teacher has begun to play the role of a parent in the child's life. However, a parent's influence on the education of their child can be termed to be magical! From my experience, it has literally moved grades up from an 'F' to a 'D', and a 'C' to an 'A' . It also affects character formation; it goes as much as to transform a child with a low esteem to one with a soaring confidence; changing a person from exhibiting bullying acts to a character that is exemplary.

And her sources of inspiration? I am excited that she recognizes and follows these two great Literary icons. Ruth Momodu is a Learning Craft CELEBRIKID™. Read her story...

Fifteen-year-old playwright, Miss. Ruth Momodu, has blamed the falling standard of education in the country on parents who neglect their responsibilities towards their children. Momodu, a pupil of Westminster International College, Lagos, who spoke at the public presentation of her book titled, ‘No fault of Mine’ in Lagos on Saturday, said though schools were instituted to impart knowledge into pupils, that was not enough for parents to relent in instilling morals and discipline in their wards.

She said, “Parents must not only teach morals but should assist in discovering and developing their children’s talents as a way of contributing to the nation’s development because we believe we are the future of Nigeria.

“I started writing about five years ago. Then, I was 10 years old but my parents have been helpful by encouraging me and putting me through to do better. Now, I have other unpublished works. Nigeria will be great and our education sector will also regain its lost glory when the government, youths, students, teachers and most especially the parents, decide to play their roles.”

Speaking on her source of inspiration, Momodu said the literary works of two novelists of international repute, Professors Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe encouraged her to become a writer.

She noted, “The duo are literary icons making Africans relevant in the world with their works. They are my mentors, and young people like us need to start now to sustain this legacy after their exit.”

Also, the author’s mother, Mrs. Rita Momodu, urged parents to discover the potential in their children, adding that it was one of their core responsibilities.

She said, “The greatest investment is to invest in your wards. When we invest in children, we are investing in our tomorrow and even in the nation’s future. Parents must be ready to assist their children to succeed.”

What more can I add to that?  Click to read Groomology 101 (School Success)