ASSERTIVE CURRICULUM: The Nooks And Crooks Of Nigeria’s Educational System -By Mordi Odichukwumma Dorcas

According to Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” A school is an institution where formal learning is conducted and people are empowered intellectually. But, in a country like Nigeria, a high percentage of the educational system does not allow questioning a teacher or lecturer on a controversial issue on a given topic, to state one’s stance, especially the “government-owned schools.” It is forbidden and the student/pupil is either scolded, insulted, punished or sidelined when they stand up to challenge the status quo of the teaching environment or failed intentionality to keep them at bay.

The status quo of the Nigerian educational system frustrates creatives and creativity while applauding those who can only read and give back words verbatim as they have been taught, without checkmating or verifying vivid research for explanation or justification of claim through critical thinking and innovation.

Sometimes, the teaching/lecturing style of the lecturer/teacher is archaic and the curriculum out of date with no form of innovation that meets up with the standard of the ever-evolving world of technology, information, and education; leaving the student/pupil to be retarded in their understanding of a particular subject matter or not clear enough.

A student who can perceive the unethical teaching style of his or her teacher/lecturer does not have the freedom to ask questions if they do not comprehend the teaching style. If a student who has made research comes up with a better innovation of understanding the subject matter, he is termed as being too forward, rude, or disrespectful. These are some of the factors that kill the students and makes them get into their shell, because when they speak, they are told to shut up, jolted not to checkmate anything brought to the table, or punished through various means.

Moving on, my words are not to say that a two plus two which is equal to a four should be argued to be equal to a seven or nine, but a system that is not challenged would be redundant and not think strategically or see reasons to up her game.

What is an assertive curriculum?
Assertive Curricula are workable samples and pieces of training that focus on how to speak up, how to negotiate, and how to lobby. The end goal of the Assertive Curriculum is that participants will be better able to advocate for themselves, both individually and as an association.

A candid piece of advice in conjunction with this discussion is from The Ghanaian Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum who has raised concerns against teaching and learning methods in Ghanaian schools and different parts of Africa. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum draws the educational system of his country and other African countries to adopt a workable system of education for the people.
According to him, pupils are not taught and encouraged to be assertive hence it doesn’t allow them to ask critical questions. On transforming education, he said that development in the 21st era is based on innovation and critical thinking.
Vehemently, if the schooling system of Nigeria continues with a lackadaisical attitude towards the educational management of the masses, we would only be having half baked who passed through school but cannot engage themselves in critical or strategic thinking that will better Nigeria’s educational system and her economy at large.

In a nutshell, students should be allowed to air their views and give out proven ways that would help them to understand better and improve interaction with teachers and lecturers in their various classes/departments of study.