‘We Cannot Prepare 21st-Century Children With 20th-Century Tools’ — Ojewumi
As schools reopen across the country for the new academic term, the Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ogbomoso North, Pastor Wale Ojewumi, has called for stronger collaboration between government and private school operators to improve the quality of education in Nigeria.
Ojewumi, in a resumption message to teachers, school proprietors, parents and students, said the commencement of a new academic term should provide an opportunity for stakeholders to reassess what is being taught, how it is being taught and whether schools are adequately equipped to prepare children for the realities of the 21st century.
He stressed that private schools remain critical partners in the development of Nigeria’s education sector, noting that government alone could not provide the entire manpower and infrastructure required to meet the country’s growing educational needs.
“Private schools are not competitors to government in education. We are partners in national development. Every child educated in a private school is still a Nigerian child, and every teacher empowered to do his or her job better contributes to the future of our country,” Ojewumi said.
The NAPPS chairman particularly called for greater attention to teachers’ welfare and professional development, describing teachers as central to the success of any educational reform.
“Our teachers cannot continue to be expected to produce 21st-century results with 20th-century tools,” he said.
Ojewumi also commended the government’s introduction of a new curriculum aimed at addressing the changing demands of the 21st century, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction.
He, however, cautioned that the success of the curriculum would depend largely on effective implementation, particularly at the grassroots level.
“The curriculum must not remain beautiful words on paper. It must come alive in our classrooms. If we are talking about digital literacy, our children must have access to digital tools. If we are teaching technology, they must have the opportunity to use technology,” he said.
He therefore urged government to provide practical support for private schools through subsidised educational devices, interest-free or low-interest grants and financing schemes, as well as partnerships that would improve access to digital infrastructure and modern learning resources.
According to him, supporting private schools should not be interpreted as government taking over their responsibilities, but as creating an enabling environment for them to contribute more effectively to national development.
“We are not asking government to take over the responsibility of private schools. We are asking government to create an enabling environment for private schools to do more. When a private school is better equipped, the ultimate beneficiary is the Nigerian child,” Ojewumi added.
He wished students, teachers, parents and school proprietors a successful and productive new academic term, urging all stakeholders to work together towards building an education system capable of equipping Nigerian children with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
