Dr Oby Ezekwesili calls for wholesome education during Meadow Hall Foundation’s Education Convention

Meadow Hall Foundation (MHF), a subsidiary of Meadow Hall Group, hosted a two-day Education Convention themed: Transforming our Society through Education. The education convention, which took place at City Hall, Lagos Island and Meadow Hall, Lekki on day 1 and day 2 respectively, provided an opportunity for all educational stakeholders to gain fresh perspectives on pertinent educational issues from interactions with educational experts. Various recommendations were made on how to use education to transform our society. After the general deliberations, participants were grouped into various sessions based on their stakeholder group; participants, also, signed up for mentors in order to enhance their service delivery via 21st century best educational practices and to provide continuity with regards to their personal and professional development.

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Vice President of the World Bank, one of the keynote speakers at the education convention, said “Education is the best economic policy. She pointed out that Nigeria became an independent republic few years ahead of Singapore but as of today, they are ahead of us economically. She identified low productivity and lack of competitive advantage as two key challenges in our country, and advised all stakeholders to focus more on human capital development. It takes education to make the citizens of a country more productive and more competitive. Since education is a key to human capital development, we should use education to transformation our society.

Dr. Ezekwesili said, “Education is the take-off point in fixing our society”. According to her, “a composite education is a productive education. For nation building and society transformation, it is essential for teachers to pass down the 3 C’s to their students. Competence- looks at mental capacity and the ability to complete tasks; Character- stresses the importance of values, and Capacity- looks at steadfastness and the ability to push through”. In the attempt to transform society, Dr. Ezekwesili believes a wholesome education is essential.

She further emphasized the importance of teachers, and the responsibility they have in bringing up the next generation. According to Dr. Ezekwesili “the quality of the teacher, stands at 60-70% in determining the learning outcome of children. She demanded for comprehensive and composite approach in ensuring quality education; quality of teacher in a classroom, good instruction materials, habitable classroom, technology, and right, relevant and qualitative curriculum.

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, Mr. Fela Durotoye and Mr. Demola Aladekomo thanked Meadow Hall Foundation for this wonderful initiative; having an education convention with all key stakeholders in attendance. They encouraged Meadow Hall Foundation to continue to advocate for the teaching profession 

Source: dailypost.ng