“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” – Alvin Toffler
In this FREE podcast I review a TV discussion program I recently watched, to illustrate the fact that some schooled Nigerian elites are NOT aware that there is difference between “schooling” and “education”.
I back up my argument with examples of known names like Pat Utomi, Shina Peters, Daddy Showkey, 2Face, Michael Jackson, Fela, Femi and Seun Kuti, Lagbaja/the famous “blind” musician Kokoro (vs Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles – both famous blind musicians in USA), as well as Nigeria’s wealthy but often poorly schooled big time traders who end up having their pick of highly schooled daughters of the elites.
In Nigeria, young ladies with minimal schooling willing to dance scantily clad in music videos (or do other naughty stuff) today command superior income to degree holding counterparts. To shut the latter up, the former go out of their way to buy certificates they brandish to claim they lack nothing academically.
In today’s fast paced, PC and Internet technology driven world, the definition of the word “illiterate” has completely changed from what it meant decades ago (as accurately noted above, years ago by Alvin Toffler, the great American writer and futurist)!
I say “some” schooled Nigerian elites because, as it with everything else in life, there are exceptions
For instance, I am a well schooled member of the Nigerian elite, as are a few others I know, who already know the truths I highlight in this podcast.
But we are in the minority, as most members do not know, and what’s worse: do NOT know that they don’t know!
The damage such double lack of insight can do (and is doing) is considerable!
Below, I offer 2 of my Best Practice Parenting Advocacy articles along with this podcast (request a copy via +229-66-122-136 on Whatsapp) to provide access to links/details I referred to in the audio, to add real world relevant background/perspective against which to consider the ideas I offer.
Today, real world relevant quality education can be had in various fields at low to zero cost from world class learning providers
Distance learning that Chinua Achebe used to further his educational pursuits while working a government day job as a young man, is now accessible online for FREE to anyone – to PhD level!
Today. There are many different ways to get an education.
No one way is right or best.
What meets the unique needs of the learner is what matters most – and therefore comes first.
For instance, not everyone has the aptitude or flair to excel in academically inclined fields or vocations. .
Some of us, and our kids, have gifts/abilities that demand only bit of basic academics mixed with tons of doing or hands-on activity/practice.
Refusal to accept this reality is why most of us still prefer to pay poorly (even unschooled) roadside mechanics to fix our cars as against letting graduates of mechanical/automobile engineering touch them.
We are too focused on book knowledge, and even THAT we don’t teach right – instead emphasis is placed on certificate acquisition with zero competence verification.
That is why our schools rarely produce authentic, internationally recognised thought leaders, innovators or inventors!
As I said in the podcast (request a copy via +229-66-122-136 on Whatsapp) the business of educating your child is NOT about you.
It is, and should always be, about what works for your child in terms of providing him/her the EDUCATION s/he needs to develop his/her unique God-given genius to achieve his/her OWN well informed definition of balanced success in life!
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