LAGOS EDUCATION DISTRICT III PARTNERS UNITED NATIONS ON YOUTH REORIENTATION
Lagos State Education District III, in partnership with United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), has identified the need to reorientate youths across the State on the importance of education, noting that the present situation in the country calls for concerted efforts from all relevant stakeholders to salvage the educational sector.
Addressing a gathering of scholars, students and stakeholders in the education sector at a forum held recently with the theme: “Redefining the Value of Education for the Benefits of Today’s Students”, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District III, Dr. (Mrs.) Yinka Ayandele, said that all the stakeholders in the sector must be concerned about the erroneous belief surrounding education in recent times.
Dr. Ayandele averred that the expected changes in the education sector cannot be achieved if all relevant stakeholders do not come together to dialogue on redefining the value of education by inspiring and motivating students to commit to the educational processes for professionalism.
Specifically, the TG/PS debunked the erroneous belief that is popular among today’s youths that education is a scam, maintaining that the best legacy that could be bequeathed to any individual is a sound and quality education.
She advised youths to shun the belief ‘get-rich-quick’ syndrome being portrayed on social media, through videos of uneducated persons amassing great wealth, just as she preached the virtues of academic excellence.
In her words: “It is unfortunate that some of our youths are getting discouraged that some educated persons are perhaps still jobless and not living their dream. This implies that most people still believe that education is solely for job employment purposes alone”.
“As a matter of fact, education goes beyond finishing schools and getting jobs, it includes the ability to see opportunities and grab such opportunities for personal sustenance and national development”, the TG/PS explained.
Dr. Ayandele expressed the hope that the exchange of ideas among the various scholars at the event will go down in history as a memorable event that helped in shaping and transforming the education sector in Nigeria, and also in fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary thanked UNIC for playing its part in sensitising the world on the need to transform education, particularly in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Also speaking at the event, a Director at UNIC, Mr. Roland Kayanja, stated that Government alone can not meet up the demands in the education sector, stressing that there is a need for private sector collaboration for the attainment of the vision of not leaving any child behind.
According to him none of the SDGs can be achieved without emphasis on education because the economy is dependent on a strong workforce that is highly educated.
“Goal 4 of SDGs has the ability to reduce poverty, reduce hunger and also affect other SDGs”, he said.
“The Sustainable Development Goals have three components which are the dimension of social inclusion, economic development and environmental protection. With this, it is impossible to attain social inclusion or improve the economy without education. Also, environmental protection cannot be achieved without innovations and doing things differently which is what education provides”, Kayanja.
