For families whose children were either crossing the Edo borders illegally in search of better opportunities or engaging in risky behaviors during the peak of human trafficking and irregular migration in 2016-17, the governor’s emphasis on fundamental education through the EdoBEST program brought hope and positivity.
Education serves as a crucial element in promoting peace and effective governance, acting as a significant driver for social advancement, conflict resolution, and the establishment of strong governance structures.
The observance of International Education Day highlights the global recognition of the importance of education for children worldwide. This year’s theme, ‘Learning for Lasting Peace,’ aligns with the rationale behind the adoption of the acclaimed EdoBEST reform program in the basic education system of Edo State.
Addressing Foundational Learning Challenges
Governor Godwin Obaseki, in a piece featured in the Financial Times, highlighted that a key factor in implementing the reform program statewide was to address the underlying issues contributing to human trafficking and irregular migration, long-standing problems in Edo state prior to his tenure.
“The deficiencies in the education system, particularly at the elementary level, led to a significant learning gap among youth, rendering them unemployable and desperate to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“To overhaul our education system, we initiated the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) three years ago. Our focus areas included reforming governance and institutions, fostering community engagement and partnerships, enhancing infrastructure, promoting leadership, and most importantly, improving teacher training and curriculum,” Governor Obaseki explained to the Financial Times.
Education for Sustainable Peace
UNESCO emphasizes that “sustaining peace necessitates a solid foundation of inclusive, democratic, and participatory governance, dialogue, solidarity, mutual understanding, sustainable development, gender equality, as well as the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Education plays a pivotal role in this pursuit.”
To effectively revolutionize basic education on a state-wide scale, curriculum adjustments, changes in teaching methodologies, and the establishment of a pedagogy aimed at enhancing learning outcomes for children in the state were imperative.
By utilizing education as a tool to promote inclusivity, the EdoBEST program has effectively equipped learners with the requisite knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to become advocates of peace within their communities.
The EdoBEST reform initiative integrates enhanced learning materials and a revamped education system to cultivate a generation of well-informed and responsible young citizens.
Comprehensive Support System
Teachers play a critical role in driving educational reforms, especially in a groundbreaking program like EdoBEST. Each EdoBEST teacher undergoes training not only to educate their students but also to nurture, develop, and transform lives through their interactions.
EdoBEST teachers receive training in classroom management techniques, teaching approaches, and the EdoBEST pedagogy, which incorporates a blend of teaching methods supported by technology integration, interactive learning modules, and collaborative projects, thereby redefining the teaching-learning process.
In response to the ongoing recruitment initiatives by the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board to address teacher shortages in schools, Mrs. Ozavize Salami, the Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB, emphasized that these educators will supplement the ranks of trained professionals entrusted with the task of guiding the younger generation and fostering exemplary role models.
“On this International Day of Education, we take pride in our role as educators, shaping minds and molding a brighter future. Through our continuous recruitment endeavors, which aim to substantially reduce teacher shortages by bringing in over 5,500 new teachers into the basic education system, we reaffirm our commitment to the core belief that teachers are the most vital resource for achieving significant and sustainable improvements in the sector in the long run.”
The International Day of Education is commemorated annually on January 24th. This year’s celebration focuses on the pivotal role of education and teachers in combating hate speech, a growing concern exacerbated by the proliferation of social media platforms, which undermines the social fabric of our communities.
Ikechukwu Johnson, a Public Affairs Analyst, shares insights from Edo State.