University Don makes case for strong ethical values in child training
By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
A University Don and Professor of Childhood Education, Prof. Folasade Rasidat Sulaiman has called for an ethical re-orientation of the Nigerian citizenry if the country is desirous of national development.
Prof. Rasidat Sulaiman made this submission while delivering the 10th Inaugural Lecture of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, with the theme: “The Rape of Our Childhood: Stakeholders In Court,” held recently at the University main Campus.
She noted that there was a great need for redirecting the minds of the citizens towards what will give greater gains in the long run.
Prof Sulaiman further called for a change in the wrong perception of people about everything in life, because it is strongly believed that all the exhibition of moral laxity is as a result of misconceptualised societal dreams and aspirations.
She equally blamed the citizenry for the failure of democracy in Nigeria saying that democracy can only thrive in a society where there is transparency, hard work, selflessness, patriotism and a great sense of duty which she noted is virtually non-existent in Nigeria.
The university lecturer stated that her inaugural lecture title was derived from societal disintegration, due to the wrong approach to childcare that failed to train future leaders to whom, the baton of leadership will be handed over.
The Professor of Childhood Education pointed out that the world is now a global market where the new education goals expected students to possess skills in creativity, critical thinking, communication, appreciation, value orientation and collaboration.
“To make learning more effective and knowledge more useful, academic curricula must be updated to take into consideration the dynamism of modern global life,” she added.
She further disclosed that every nation should develop a curriculum that would include values to be promoted by individuals and the entire nation because the foundation for the achievement of the demand for the 21st century is embedded in the quality of education received by the learners as well as the quality of the implementers of the curriculum.
She also added that the government and other stakeholders in the Education sector should get priorities right as early childhood education is one of the most cost-effective ways of solving some of the societal ills bedevilling the nation.
As part of the solution to the training of children, she stated categorically the role of mother tongue in the teaching of children should not be toyed with.
Other recommendations proffered by the Professor of Childhood Education include fostering partnership among all the stakeholders of education, community participation in the education of children, importance of children’s health and their education, family union and children’s well-being, marital quality, marital adjustment and marital satisfaction among others.
