Attended a launch event this past weekend and even though the services being launched were similar to those of BackDoor Connections, which should have made me jilter for the threat of competition......i just couldn't. For whatever reasons, i was too excited to know that i'm not the only one feeling the need for increased knowledge in young people outside the classroom and i found myself applauding louder than everyone else in the audience......strange...ehn?
Well it turns out that not withstanding the lack of attention given to the development of non-formal education in the Nigeria society (for obvious reasons.....), the fact remains that the concept is growing and most part of the world now emphasis it as a mean of improving and sustaining its counterpart -the formal education.
The importance of non-fomal education is known to a lot of people not because they have been taught but largely because we all experience it at one time or the other in our lives. You definitely can recall those times you went visiting your Grandma and she took it upon herself to teach you the value of saving money by buying you a 'kolo' (local piggy bank), something you parent perharps laughed at as one of those things Grandmas do. I for instance will never forget how my father will ensure that we had good meals before we went for a party so that hunger does not rob of our comportment.
My point is while the classroom teaches formal education of 'what' is to be done, non-formal emphasis 'why' the 'what' has to be done which carries a conviction with it and guarantees thoroughness, attention to details, competence etc. So for anyone to think for a split second that all a child needs should be received in the classroom is almost like saying to be born in a bakery makes you a bread!
I'm almost sure everyone can come to terms with my point but again may tend to assume that these things happen to everyone as they grow and that we would pick up these non-formal learnings at one time in our lives or the other, but the question we might need to pulse and ask are those of, - where the kids these days are meant to pick any learning from when they do not relate to anyone but their own family members (and maybe 'Comfort', who happens to run the house when the parents are out working).
Much as i never will be a castigator of the present time who sees all good in my generation and all the worst of this net generation, i must say values which come from non-formal learning are not that rampant anymore in this dispensation to the point that we leave it to chance. The search for value has now become something we must make conscious effort to instill in our young people......we owe them that much! Just like there has been tremendious growth in the formal education system, we must ensure growth in the other forms of learning as well.
My final words will be if the system does not give your light, get a generator.......perfect analogy, right? It is time to be proactive.
Cheers
Timsyn
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