ECOWAS VP advocates “school for life” education model for West African countries

In order to equip West African children with the relevant skills to thrive in a challenging environment, ECOWAS VP says, there should be a new educational model.

The Vice-president of Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS His Excellency Edward Singhartey disclosed this Friday in Uturu, in Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State adding

“We need to develop a robust education model that combines traditional content with critically important financial, health and administrative skills which can be delivered via existing school systems and’retained’ teachers”.

This model, he said could be codenamed “school for life”.

Speaking as the 2nd Convocation Lecturer st the Gregory University, Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA titled “Poverty Eradication Through Capacity Building and Social Economic Empowerment in the West African Region:

The Place And Role of Private Institutions”, Singhartey pointed out, “Emphasis should shift the goal of schooling away from the strict achievement of standardized learning outcomes,

but towards making a positive impact on the economic and social well-being of students and their community. This model requires significant changes in both content and pedagogy”.

He recommended that entrepreneurship and health modules should be mandatory curriculum components for all primary grade students, while student-centered methods should be used that require students to work in groups to solve complex problems and manage projects on their own, thereby building important life skills.

“This approach is inspired by models of adult education in developing countries that focus on self-efficacy as s critical foundation of positive livelihood and health-seeking behaviors, along with active-learning pedagogies that are already being used in progressive schools throughout the world.

“Conceptual knowledge should be put into practice at school through activities that empower children to use what they have learned.

“Students should also develop higher order skills as they work in committees to develop and execute complex projects.

“Whilst entrepreneurship projects should include identifying and exploiting market opportunities through business ideas like school gardens or community recycling that creates real value” he said.

According to him, “Through this unique combination of relevant content, practical implementation and student empowerment, children develop a body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to succeed and thrive when they leave school, whether they headed towad college or remain in their communities”, stating that dramatic changes are critically and certainly needed.

The ECOWAS Vice-president used the opportunity to commend the Gregory University, Uturu for “graduating scholars who are sufficiently grounded in ethics and entrepreneurships”describing it as a newer beginning and a grand shinning light and academic showing.

Singhartey was later given a chieftaincy title of ‘Ochioha I’ (Leader) of Uturu community by Uturu Council of Traditional Rulers led by their paramount ruler HRM Eze Cyril Ibe.

Responding after deceiving the title, the envoy expressed his happiness over the award, while tracing his relationship with the university Chancellor in Gambia, and thanking him for repairing damaged relationship between the two countries then.

In his speech, the Chancellor of the university, Chief Gregory Iyke Ibe acknowledged Edward Singhartey over the lecture, as well as his own role in reconnecting Nigeria and Gambia then under Abacha regime.

Earlier in their separate speeches, the chairman of the occasion and BoT chairman of the university, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Ptof. Augustine Uwakwe, described yhe occasion as unique in view of the personality involved.

By Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia