Civic Participation Archives - ATLAS Initiative

Posted on March 27, 2018March 27, 2018

Children in school are not learning

It is no news that majority of students in school are not learning. Here, we would delve into the reason why this is, and express our suggestions of possible solutions to this issue.

To be clear, these are just our opinions and we would like to know yours

Learning is the process of acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences.
A school is an institution designed to provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students (or “pupils”) under the direction of teachers.

If you want to find a child who lacks quality education today, one of the best places to find them is in school. It’s quite ironic that the citadel of learning has now become the breeding ground for “half-baked” graduates. The initial good news is that the children are in school getting some form of education in the least. But the bad news is that their presence in school does not translate to acquisition of knowledge. Hundreds of millions of children are starting school, going day after day, year after year, but not really learning.

Schooling without learning is just time served.

Unfortunately, Nigeria is not excluded from this list of having to school without adequate quality education.

Some primary reasons why kids in school don’t learn include:

Inadequate learning facilities & environment (Such as good chairs, desks, classrooms, e.t.c): Lack of comfort leads to short attention span and lack of proper assimilation and retention of information.

Emotional problems from home and family: Emotionally stressful events that are experienced by some children in their homes causes for them, the inability to focus or pay attention in class. In such conditions, learning cannot take place.

Archaic and Uninteresting method of teaching: Students, especially the younger ones can only absorb and retain large amounts of information when they don’t appear as ordinary words on the board. Audio and Visual tools, as well the use of physical objects in the representation of information.

Lack of interest: The culmination of the aforementioned would lead to disinterest in learning. Then the school stops being about acquisition of information, but rather, a routine.

Medical challenges: such as dyslexia, cerebral palsy, brain tumor, ADHD

The Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), Target 4.1 was set up to address this issue. It states “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes”.

Here are listicles of suggested solutions:

Provision of Conducive Learning Environment and Adequate Learning Facilities

Comfort is very essential when it comes to learning. There must be adequate learning facilities provided in a conducive environment to ensure that quality learning takes place. It is important that students are provided with adequate facilities for play, in order to relieve them of stress they might experience at home. Competent counselors that would be available to help the students with issues and develop proper coping strategies are also important.

Modern & Participatory Teaching Methods

It is not only essential that the children are able to hear the words of their teachers, but are also able to see examples of what they are being taught. For instance, it would be much easier to remember parts of the skeletal system when one sees an actual skeleton and can reference one’s body parts

That is how we can turn good news on schooling into good news on education and ensure all children are in school – and learning.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on March 16, 2018

Situation of Out of School Children in Nigeria

The target of the sustainable development goal 4 is to achieve the overall improvement in the access to inclusive and quality education for all by 2030. However, there has been no sign of any rapid reduction to meet this target. On the contrary, there has been a slow down since the year 2000 compared to the earlier years on the global scale , the most affected people are the youth of secondary school age. With regards to gender, the female are the highest out of school on the global scale. Poverty and other structural problems are the reasons behind the challenges. One of the structural problems includes menial jobs that youth find after lower secondary which diverts their attention from education to trying to contribute to the family income at that stage. This increases the number of out of school children. Also, the level of income is one other significant pointer that reflects the tendency of a high number of children being out of school in a given country.

Considering the regional level, sub-Sahara Africa where Nigeria is included has the highest level of out of school children in all categories e.g. sex, age. Nigeria’s plight in the sub-Sahara out of school children as at 2016 is between 20% and 40% at the primary school level. Another problem that persists at the regional level is the gender disparity which have been considerably reduced in other parts of the world while sub-Sahara Africa remains unchanged.

Therefore, it is evident that poverty should be tackled alongside access to education.

There is about only a decade left to achieve the SDG4- which is quality education. Hence, it is a matter of urgency. The innovation of new strategies and policies as well as a pool of resources to achieve this goal will bring about the rapid decline in the number of out of school children, such strategies include support for helping the parent to invest in a business that could provide funds to send their children to school. Also such business will allow the child to focus on education rather than joining the contributing to the family income through a menial job.

The ultimate strategy, however, is to engage the school and government who are also direct stakeholders to re-examine their policies in view of 2030. While the school can consider their cost, the government can ensure that allocated funds get to the targets in the right amount and time. Social enterprise should be supported as the serve as an intermediary that bridge the distance between government and school while they also accelerate the fulfilment of the access to education which is measured by a number of out of school children.

The SDGs -4 only remain achievable goal if all these stakeholders would create a synergy for the next decade.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Effects of Out of School Children in our Nation

There are several ways of engineering a society. They include laws, norms, rules and procedures. However, these will remain unfruitful without adequate education which is simply providing an institutional structure for training members of the society. The youth and children are the most malleable members of every society, this is why they are the future of a nation. To determine the future of a nation, consider the education and training given to the youth and children. Therefore, when they are out of school it simply means that the future of the nation is at stake. The aspects that are endangered include economy, security and politics.

Children of today are the human resources that should contribute to the workforce of the country in the future but when they are not educated it negatively affects the future workforce. The problem is not their lack of employment, rather they would be found in menial jobs that do not contribute to the economy of the country neither does it help in its technological advancement. This is why our society suffers from backwardness as it will remain behind the advanced economies. However if the society ensures that children are provided access to quality education, more professionals are then produced for the benefit of the economy and improved GNP (Gross National Product).

When children/youth are out of school, their idleness leads to the increase in social vices and community crime rate. Pickpocketing, burglary, drug abuse, destruction of government property. Children lose the cultural fabric of the society making the society chaotic.

Politically, leaders of the country were produced in schools. Hence if these children do not have access to quality education, the chances of getting good leadership in the country is quite dim, the future will be in shambles. Experiences such as not knowing the right principles of democracy will cause wrong persons to come into power. Today youth sell votes, although being out of school is not the only reasons for that, however, lack of education is a major cause of ignorance, and are incapacitated and they cannot change anything

The solution is not just sending them to school, which is a starting point. More to it is the provision of quality education that is effective in reaching the youth to take right steps in nation building.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on February 21, 2018February 26, 2018

Poverty and Education

The relationship between education and poverty still exist as a persistent epidemic of the 21 century. The lack of necessary knowledge and skills that could ensure an improve life standard contributes to this epidemic. Studies have shown that the basic level child education is important to any other stages in the life of every child. This is because the learning that takes place at the basic level, leads to the continued success in subsequent educational level, working years and other ramifications of life. This stage is a prime stage because it creates a foundation for the development of social and emotional cognition in children. It provides for a pattern of assimilation that is carried through a significant period of their lives.

The impact that basic education provided to children and youth is the hope of the opportunity to increase the standard of living of their family. It is also readily appreciated even by the poorest of families. Funding basic education will be well appreciated; even the poorest and deprived families perceive the importance and are relieved from trying to cut out of nothing to provide it for their children’s education.

The correlation between security and education is expansive because it has to do with securing a job, productivity, society and the nation’s future. If anyone is worried about insecurity in the nation, the issue of security includes the providing the basic education. Illiteracy and innumeracy are a tremendous deprivation of the opportunity to be productive in the societies. The outcome of this is a chaotic nation. The milestones to increase the security and productivity of a nation are funding of basic school education towards the direct reduction of the basic deprivation.

“If we do not enable children with skills they need to the job out there, we are going to live with profound negative impacts across the globe. There’s no way a country can progress without training the mental faculty of our children because that will build the abilities and God giving talents” (Dr. Amoah-Asare)

Therefore let us intensify our efforts in funding basic education as it would translate to nurturing a child, caring for a family and building a national security.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on February 21, 2018February 26, 2018

Child Bullying – It’s Effects and Lasting Solutions

Bullying is an act perpetrated by one or more individuals, who intentionally cause fear, harm or intimidation to others.

It’s a disturbing fact that children all over the world are being bullied on a daily basis, but it’s even more disturbing when you find out that your child is being bullied. Most bullying occurs at school where children come together every day, making it almost unavoidable.

Children who are being bullied usually keep this problem to themselves, because they think that telling a teacher or a parent could result in a dilemma which could fuel up the bullying. They become quiet and withdraw from participation, and sometimes display anger tantrums or show signs of bullying their younger siblings at home.

Child Bullying is also one of the key reasons kids stay out of school regardless of their parents being able to afford to send them to school, many kids do not want to go to school because of this issue. Bullying has a negative impact on child’s performance in school. They become timid and are shy to ask questions in class relating to their studies.

Parents are usually the last to know if their child is being bullied, so it’s essential for them to look out for signs. So what would you do if you find that your child is being bullied? Confront the bully? Confront the bully’s parents? Confront the teacher for doing nothing? Report the problem to your child’s school?

Firstly, consider your child’s feelings. If they are willing to talk to you about the problem, then try to work through a lasting solution with them. Remember, it is your child who is the victim so let them know that you will support them in their decision. It might be that your child is being bullied by several other children and any rash decisions taken by you could make matters worse.

If matters do get worse you might have to consider removing your child from the school, but that’s no guarantee that a similar problem won’t occur in another school. Hence the need to find a lasting solution. Another point to consider is the level of bullying. It may well start with verbal abuse leading to psychological torment and eventually result in physical violence.

If you speculate that your child is being bulled, it can lead to a real dilemma, and as a responsible parent, you have to make the right decision based on the facts. But there is also one other option that might just outweigh all the others, and that’s to make your child “bully-proof”.

Bullies tend to pick on kids who they consider to be weaker than them, or have a disability or are timid or are not able to fight back. They use fear to dominate their victims. If you could teach your child to face up to the bully and to defend them self, even physically if they have to, then the bully will no doubt find another, easier victim to pick on.

You should also consider building your child’s confidence, feeling confident in one’s self is a sure way to face any dilemma. Ensure your child’s self-confidence is worked on so that they wouldn’t be shy to talk or express themselves outside.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on February 11, 2018February 11, 2018

Looking Into The Horizon

Everyone talks about the future, my future, our future, community future etc., everyone has a future, a dream, a profession, a course to run. BUT AS we join the race towards the horizon, the fears of what lies ahead grips our heart. We are getting home but getting nowhere…..is there anyone who will hear this, whose heart cares about what we might become.

One could not but notice the innocence of the children of the global community in Africa as their heart whispers a call for hope. But they themselves, barely can understand now but they will look back sounding in thank to the individuals and communities who answered their call, just in the same way every adult looks back in appreciation to everyone who contribute to their success or vice versa. The future is now, invest in the child education and give knowledge to a world’s changer.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on December 13, 2017January 2, 2019

Access2School

It looks confusing to believe most times what the eyes sees but once you get to walk on the very same path that seems confusing and misunderstood – that’s when you appreciate what you have and see reasons to lift others out of such confusing state.

Within the past one year, ATLAS INITIATIVE has been identifying out of school children (4 – 17 years old) within several communities in Ikorodu such as Majidun-Ogolonto, Oju-Agemo, Adamo, Ota-Ona, Oko-Ito, among others. For the very first time, accurate statistics was gotten from the alarming number of children who have dropped out of school (or sometimes never started schooling) due to financial problem, loss of parent (s), ignorance and the underlined “lack of faith in the educational system” in an urban-rural area of Lagos state, Nigeria.

It gets better, as the willingness to learn is “burning” within these individuals we identified and the support from their community leaders is what has continued to motivate us in looking for funds and sponsorship to provide for their basic academics needs.

Daniel Okafor, 6 years old is one of the children we identified from majidun community. His story got our attention from his mother’s dedication of home schooling him and his sister after their father got struck with stroke – cutting off their major source of income.

Being forced to stay home; Daniel and his family have to struggle from feeding, to house rent and buying medications for his father. He went from home play with other children to developing passion to the popular fishing within the community to support his mother – who occasionally hawks bread in the street.

That single attitude of learning and facing everyday challenge to be the very best, stands to be a magnet to our vision in uplifting others through learning and empowerment.

by wp_atlas 0 Comments

Posted on November 4, 2017February 14, 2018

ATLAS CULTURE

Looking back at the year 2017 , we reflect on our achievements , challenges and of course – our apex moments at space meetings.

Is been nothing but impeccable and priceless gift to mankind at this very age when selfless, unconditional and steady love to one another is medicine to many troubled souls.

As passionate volunteers we are proud that we made every moment count and accounted for. We are thankful that good health of body and mind is our greatest reward for our little contributions to our society, country and mankind.

We say thank you to everyone that encouraged and supported us in this journey thus far and we hope we were able to convince the skeptics that volunteering is the best definition of life and how it should be lived.

Is another year but still the same vision of fight against poverty, illiteracy, abuse, moral decadence and most importantly exclusion.

We believe that the best is yet to come, as the year 2018 reassures us of many possibilities, opportunities and time frame to be our true life through volunteering .

Happy New Year !