According to Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Globally, education is accepted as a pivot for economic development and progress, and Nigeria is no exception.
Consequent to the above, Nigeria’s future success is founded on its education system.
Foundational education, which encompasses primary and early secondary education, is crucial for Nigeria’s economic development. It lays the groundwork for a skilled workforce, fosters innovation, and promotes overall national progress.
Nigeria’s need to invest in children’s foundational skills, literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional development is more pronounced now than ever.
Study has shown that seven of 10 Nigerian children do not meet the minimum literacy proficiency levels required by age 10. This is not just a statistic but a stark warning of the looming crisis that could undermine the country’s future if nothing is done to change the negative narrative.
After all, Benjamin Franklin once said that an education is the investment with the greatest returns; hence, investing in a child’s educational foundation is similar to building a’s foundation.
Without strong foundational skills, children are ill-prepared for the complexities of life and the demands of the modern economy.
Literacy and numeracy are the bedrock upon which all other learning is built. These essential skills are necessary for children to effectively engage with more advanced subjects and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Good education works to develop not only a child’s understanding of established knowledge but also sharpens his/her mind and enhances their capacity for thinking, creativity, and innovation so they can become active creators of new knowledge.
However, the current Nigerian education landscape grapples with myriad challenges, undermining the nation’s human capital potential. As of 2020, Nigeria’s Human Capital Index, as assessed by the World Bank, stood at 0.36, positioning it 168th out of 173 countries globally, a marginal improvement from 0.34 in 2018, where it ranked 152 out of 157 nations surveyed.
According to UNESCO, Nigeria has approximately 20 million out-of-school children aged 6-18.
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The surging number of out-of-school children in Nigeria negatively impacts the country’s economic development by reducing human capital, potentially leading to a shortage of skilled labour, and hindering overall productivity and economic growth.
Busayo Aderounmu, a senior lecturer at Covenant University, Ogun State, speaking on out-of-school in Nigeria, said, “The higher the number of out-of-school children in the country, the higher the level of illiteracy, insecurity, and poverty among others.”
Aderounmu said the country is faced with a learning and economic crisis, mainly fuelled by the rising number of out-of-school children.
“This implies that the economy will face serious problems in the future if the issue is not curbed in time,” she said.
Kingsley Moghalu, president of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation, said that education empowers citizens to realise their full potential.
“Functional education inculcates much to learners beyond the prescribed academic curriculum and encourages the development of social behaviour that will be useful to them in the future.
“Well-educated individuals are not only confident to lead fulfilling personal lives but also actively engage in problem-solving within their societal contexts, thereby elevating overall societal welfare and fostering social cohesion,” he said.
Children who develop strong socioemotional skills are better equipped to navigate life’s challenges, work collaboratively with others, and contribute positively to society.
Investing in foundational skills prepares Nigerian children for the contemporary world, where technology and innovation are key drivers of progress.
Strong literacy and numeracy skills are essential for understanding and effectively leveraging technology in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
A well-functioning education system will equip children with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the global economy, attracting investment, creating jobs, and reducing poverty.
Nigeria can build its economic future through foundational learning by investing in quality education, fostering digital literacy, and promoting skills development in areas like STEM and entrepreneurship.
This, experts believe, will create a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and attracting investment, ultimately leading to economic growth and stability.
As the government proposes a zero percent tax education system, there needs to channel for resources to develop foundational learning because it is essential to ensuring sustainable development for the future.
Drawing inspiration from countries with successful implementation of foundational education, such as South Korea, the Dominican Republic. Nigeria can adopt strategic approaches that promote inclusive growth and prosperity for all its citizens.
