The best kind of education that can be provided is the kind that:
-Not only teaches and justifies theories and doctrines but that which stimulates creativity and develops existing talents and capabilities in its recipients.
-Teaches one to recognize oneself for the capable human being you are and learn to draw from your inner strengths and available resources to achieve desired goals.
-Raises awareness of situations, its implications and motivates people to positive action.
Looking at Africa’s needs, I believe that this generation’s education should not be limited to this list but that our needs are much greater than can be imagined. As an African, my point of view is that only when all of Africa has been properly educated shall we begin to hope for any kind of positive change.
It wouldn’t hurt to make sure that the education provided for one’s African country takes into consideration who it is trying to educate. The incorporation of educational programming into Africa must consider how they will get through to young people. This is the only way that we will be able to create sustainable practices and help future generations to learn from today’s failures and shortcomings. It is not necessarily that these are part of the school’s syllabus, since they are more ethical than academic. Perhaps, this knowledge and lessons learned could be imputed and expressed in more creative and interesting ways. An example could be through the use of youth awareness raising groups or clubs in schools and communities that are created among youth with leadership aspirations and motivation for change.
1. PURSUIT OF COLLECTIVE GOALS FOR BROADER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ACHIEVEMENTS RATHER THAN THE PURSUIT OF INDIVIDUAL GOALS WHEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS OR EVEN AS INDIVIDUALS.
It might be argued that this has to do with moral principles and not academic. However, it should be clear that Africa is one desperate place whereby corruption is found at all levels of administrations and institutions of the government and private sectors. This corruption has existed for years and is continually passed on to succeeding administrators (and generations). Individuals take over the reins with an inherited idea that as the individuals in these powerful positions they get the most both financially and materially for themselves, from the system.
2. TOLERANCE FOR DIFFERENT CULTURES, OPINIONS AND ETHNICITIES
Sounds old? Maybe, but as long as we are talking about Africa, this is something that might be known but is far from achieved. If it were achieved all civil wars that are a result of tribal and political differences would be a thing of pre-colonial past. Traditions of hate and animosity are so deeply rooted that they are continually passed on down the generations. If they are not eradicated, one way or another, the situation will never improve. Outsiders will continue to take advantage of our internal conflicts and take over our resources. We are busy fighting within when we should be working together to make the most of our available resources. These internal wars are self -destructive and are ruining that which should have been a starting point for development and growth, that which was so hard earned-freedom.
3. EMPLOYING REASON OTHER THAN EMOTION WHEN CHOOSING ADMINSTRATIONS FOR PRODUCTIVITY
It is a fact that affiliation for most Africans (I will cite my country as an example) is solely based on tribal and regional attachment rather than the values represented by individuals, leaders or even political parties and their ability to deliver to the nation or whatever structure towards change for the better. Even after manifestations of corruption working against productivity and development people are not ready to support any other party apart from their “home party”. People are not ready to rally behind anyone except for that which they know; their homeboys. If this mentality continues then we are not going to get much further than where we are today. In fact, our situation will only go from bad to worse.
4. CHAMPION SUSTAINABILITY AND SURVIVAL OVER PRESENT FULFILMENT
We are used to the fact that we are poor and need donations to survive. The general acceptance of this ugly fact is incredibly dispiriting. Begging Western donors to provide us with our basic needs is the most we can do at present but certainly not the best. How long is Africa going to beg, get in debts and look up to other nations?
It is a fact that the West does really owe us based on their massive contributions to the poor state that we are in. But they are not solely responsible, we must be aware of our own involvement.
The best we can do is use what the West gives back to us (is it not the most we have) and to invest in solid structures. We need to invest wisely in things that will become our economic backbones and free us from this poverty and dependence rather than dissipate it corruptly.
After so many years of being dominated and turned to charity, isn’t it time that we start doing our best to turn our situation around? The fight did not end with freedom from colonialism; the biggest fight, the fight for economic independence, has yet to be won. The biggest freedom to be won yet is the freedom from disease, hunger and poverty.
5. AFRICA’S SELF RELIANCE: A POSSIBILITY THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH TIME, EFFORT AND DEDICATION.
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