In a move to improve Nigeria’s educational system, UNICEF has introduced a new program called “Joyful Parental Engagement.” This initiative has been hailed by experts as the basic foundation for education that should not be overlooked.
Dr. Christogonus Nweke, a Measurement and Evaluation Expert and UNICEF Desk Officer for the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has strongly advocated for the adoption of this program.
According to Dr. Nweke, the Joyful Parental Engagement program aims to bridge the gap between the time a child spends at home and the time they spend at school. He believes this is crucial, as the lack of synergy between the two environments has been a significant shortcoming in Nigeria’s education system.
“This workshop has come to bridge the gap between what happens at home and in the school,” Dr. Nweke explained. “Before now, there was a gap between what happens at home with the parents and in school, but with parental engagement, they have been encouraged to take off part of what happens in school at home, thereby bridging the gap so that there will be synergy.”
Dr. Nweke emphasized that the Joyful Parental Engagement program is the foundation of education, and without its adoption, the entire system would be shaky. He believes the program is bringing back the essential ingredients that have been lacking in Nigeria’s education system, such as morality and strong connections to one’s roots.
“My advice is everything has a base, and anything that doesn’t have a foundation is not going to succeed, so this joyful parental engagement is the foundation of education,” he said. “Parents should take it seriously, if they do not, definitely their foundation for education is going to be very shaky.”
The training session for the Joyful Parental Engagement program, held in Otukpo, Benue State, was attended by a diverse group of participants, including teachers, parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders. The response from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive.
Chief Adah Ella, the Clan Head of Otiya Zone H/B in Otukpo, expressed his eagerness to be closer to his children and other children in his domain, as well as to influence them positively. He also emphasized the need for the training to be replicated in other communities.
Similarly, the Woman Leader of Otukpo Township Ward One, Mrs. Ada Ochekwu, said the training had exposed her to the importance of play in aiding children’s physical, mental, and social development. She pledged to step down the training to other women within the community.
The youth leader, Peter Adah, also acknowledged the value of the program, stating that it had prepared him to be a better parent in the future and that he would dedicate more time to the children around him.
The introduction of the Joyful Parental Engagement program by UNICEF represents a significant step towards strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s education system. Experts like Dr. Christogonus Nweke strongly believe that this initiative can bridge the gap between home and school, revive essential values, and ultimately contribute to the holistic development of Nigerian children. With the enthusiastic response from community leaders, the potential for this program to positively impact the country’s education landscape is promising.
