Sex Education Should be Encouraged in Schools

 

Sex can be defined as a sexual activity between two or more people in which they touch each other’s body and sex organs. On the other hand, education is a process of training and instruction, especially of children and young people in schools, colleges etc which is designed to give knowledge and develop skills.

Sex education should be encouraged in schools starting from primary to tertiary level so as to enlighten the students on the issues regarding their sexual life. Naturally, when a child reaches the age of 10-13 (puberty stage), there is tendency that he/she bets attracted to the opposite sex. At this stage, it becomes imperative for the adolescents to be well informed about the inevitable changes that are bound to take place on their bodies. Sex education, therefore, equips one with all the basic information needed at this crucial stage of life.

Also, sex education creates room for an interaction session where the students can ask mind-blogging questions which their illiterate or ever busy parents may not be able to answer. By incorporating sex education in the school curriculum, teachers would have ample opportunity to digress issues that relates to sex abuse, lesbianism, homosexuality etc. so that our young ones would not be ignorant of the dire consequences of such acts.

Regrettably, It is well known fact that our children are being raped and abused sexually on daily basis. Most of the victims know little or nothing about sex and are therefore, often intimidated by perpetrators. Some of our children have been constantly abused by their relatives, drivers, and even domestic house helps in their homes. In most cases, perpetrators of these dastardly acts always go scot-free either because the victim is too scared to object or report to anybody after the deed has been done. 

If sex education is taught in schools even at the primary level, our children especially the females will be able avert such ugly incidence. For instance, if a girl child is made to understand that it is improper for any of her private part to be touched unnecessarily, she would have the courage to report such incidence to her parent or appropriate authority without any fear or intimidation.

Undoubtedly, teenagers are normally influenced by peer groups who misdirect and misinform them on sexual issues and take advantage of their youthful exuberance and inexperience. Sex education therefore, becomes an indispensable tool which should be used to promote chastity and morality especially in the lives of youths. In fact, the importance of sex education cannot be over-emphasized as ignorance like they say is a disease which must be attacked decisively. 

Some people believe that sex education promotes immorality, as the young ones will get to know all about sex early in life. But I want them to know that even if our young ones are not taught about sex in schools, there is every possibility that they will be misguided and misinformed by friends who know little or nothing about sex.  Moreover, the high rate of pornography in our contemporary society do not help matters at all as our children are faced with pornographic books, films and pictures often displayed on the internet on daily basis.

So, there is urgent need for our children to be enlightened through sex education on the dangers associated with pre-marital sex and issues of child abuse.

Miss Theresa Nnabude, Onward High School, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos State.

THE EFFECTS OF MOBILE PHONE AND ELECTRONIC GADGETS ON EDUCATION: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

It is no longer news that the world has become a global village where everything is now at our fingertips.  More importantly, mobile phones and other similar gadgets can be seen as either a blessing or a curse to the education sector. Whichever one chooses certainly makes a direct impact on one. Edu-Focus in this edition will be looking at the pros and cons and possible measures to check any foreseen danger which these gadgets pose to the education sector in our country.

 

The good

The invention of mobile phones and other mobile gadgets has primarily enhanced communication for man in our world today. Beyond that, it is has also made learning easy and convenient for all and at all level. With the aid of internet facilities one would want to wonder if there is anything on earth that is still hidden or perhaps cannot be tapped. Every mobile gadget and mobile phone gives one the opportunity to stay ahead with the trend in the society as well as with activities in school at one’s comfort. Although sometimes there can be misleading information on the internet which will require one’s discerning mind to recognize, there are however endless relevant information that comes in handy for our specific purpose at any particular time. And coming to other features that come with some mobile phone and gadget such as radio, television and instant messaging applications (Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc), these, you would agree, have further aided learning, interaction and communication all on the go. Every stake holder in the education sector would also agree to the fact that he/she at one point in time or the other has learnt or benefitted from these devices. The endless list of benefits however leads us to some of the bad which is really a big concern for all.

The Bad

 As much as we resonate the laudable things mobile phones and other communication gadgets have done to our education system, this great invention has been observed to be bastardised by most users, especially students. Some of these negative uses can be traced to the unexplainable addiction to the gadgets today. One then begins to remember that we actually lived and learned without these mobile phones in the past. It is also undeniable fact that these gadgets are guilty of inducing laziness amongst  students and even teachers, who, instead of sourcing for hard copy materials relevant for studies, would settle for unbalanced soft copies extracted on the internet through the mobile gadget. An instance that aches the heart of parents and school administrators in particular is the use of mobile phones in classrooms; this is simply unthinkable as the students will certainly be distracted during lectures. Rather than focus on their studies, they are always engrossed, chatting with friends, surfing on the internet or perhaps listening to music or radio, all of which are irrelevant at that moment.  That is just a few of the growing mannerisms that have misled many today. The decline of standard in the educational sector can be traced to one of the world’s greatest inventions, i.e. Mobile phone, and other communication gadgets. Let us take a look at the ugly side of mobile phone to our education sector.

The ugly

This is the moment we will take time to reflect on the harm the invention of the gadget has done to the educational system, and perhaps carefully weigh the benefits as well as the cost of mobile phone invention.  It may however interest you to know that the invention of this mobile gadgets is responsible for the increase in examination malpractice in our education sector which in turn has rubbed off on the product that comes out today in terms of human resource. In truth, this ungodly act of examination malpractice is always carried out with the aid of mobile phones. This has been the case with JAMB, JSCE and SSCE and all other external examinations. Many also have found themselves in wrong associations with people they barely know through social interactive platform. This had led to peer influence which  resulted in teenage pregnancy for the young girls,  cyber crime or other form of illicit and unimaginable acts for the boys.

Here are some straight pointers to what is expected of all:

A strict rule must be laid down by the school preventing students from bringing phones to school.

Parents on their part should not sabotage this by ensuring that phones are not given to their children until perhaps they get to the right age when they will be responsible and accountable for some of their actions.

For the students, it is advised that phones should be used at home only. When they often have access to mobile gadgets, it should be a time to source for information that will make them better academically rather than engage in needless and harmful conversations or surfing.

On a final note, no matter how much we weigh or examine the effect of mobile phone to the educational sector, one thing is certain: that is, our individual and collective responsibility to see to it that this great invention to mankind is in proper use not to damage our future but to help shape it.

 

10 WAYS TO CULTIVATE A CREATIVE MIND

 

More often than not, success is synonymous with creativity. Thomas Edison is known as successful because he created the light bulb. Richard Branson’s mega success came from his unique creations and of the Virgin Company. Jony Ive, who has repeatedly been described as the creative genius behind Apple’s greatest products is indeed notorious due to his creativity. The list goes on and on with the numerous creative minds behind successful products.

            If success comes with being creative, the crucial question then, is what does it take to possess a creative mind?

            Creative has been defined by neuroscientist as the ability to take disparate or scattered ideals and bring them together in new and useful combination. Not surprisingly, the creative process of the mind is bringing together different parts of your brain. Thankfully, much of research in modern neuroscience such as creativity are the result of a person’s own intentional activation of different parts of the brain. It is something that can be harnessed through practice, cultivation, and development.

 

Here are ten ways to spark off your creative mind!

1.     THE CLOUD EXERCISE

You probably had to do this when you were a child, but do not let the simpleness of this cause you to think that it is not effective!

            Clouds are notorious for resembling something else. Take a look up at a few different cloud formations and note what some of the shapes resemble. A tree? A cat?

 

2.     INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

Most online dictionaries will always have a “word of the day” already featured. So try and chew up a word in day to your vocabulary. Most importantly, find a way to use it during a conversation-that even makes it challenging and fun.

 

3.     PICK ANY OBJECT AND DESCRIBE IT TEN DIFFERENT WAYS

What is in front of you right now? Most likely your book or the magazine you are reading. How many different ways can you describe it? Colourful, informative….. try and come up with ten adjectives for it.

 

4.     PICK UP A PENCIL AND DRAW

Studies have shown that drawing activates certain parts of your right brain. You do not need to be the next Da Vina to reap the creative benefits of trying to draw something you see just take a look out the window or try and draw the coffee mug on front of you.

 

5.     DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR NON-DOMINANT HAND

Doing something unfamiliar will give your brain a kick in the pants and fire off neurons that will support your overall creativity. Whether it is brushing your teeth, combing your hair, or writing your name on a piece of paper, try it with your less dominant hand.

 

6.     LEARN A FEW PHRASE IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

Always wanted to throw out a couple of romantic French or Italy phrase? Learning a language activates the left temporal lobe of your brain-you will not only bilingual talents but also do your creative brain a favour! Pick up a little phrase book from a book store for a couple of naira.

 

7.     PLAY DEVIL’S ADEVOCATE TO YOURSELF

Come at a conversation or discussion from a different angle. Argue with yourself and force your brain to wrestle with a different side. Stretch your mind into having to reason through a different perspective.

 

8.     EXPERIMENT

Try something new. If you are a foodie, step out and try a different ingredient or a style of cooking you have never had. If you are into music, try listening to something different. Uncharted waters get the brain to lay some new creative networks. Ask yourself, “when was the last time you did something for the first time?”

 

9.     LEARN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

Most songs are a repetition or variation of four simple chords which are easy to learn on a guitar or a piano. Music is immensely powerful tool in activation creative parts of your brain as it stimulates multiple areas of your brain.

 

10.                          FIND A DIFFERENT USE FOR AN ITEM

A pillow could be used as a chair cushion-you do not have to actually go ahead and use it, unless you really want to, but come up with alternative uses for items in your possession. An empty plastic of bottle water can be use as a funnel by cutting it into two.

 

            All these exercises are designed to activate dormant part of your brain and cause different portions to work together in way that they usually would not. This unique cooperation of different portions of the brain will create the perfect environment for mind to be at its creative best.

 

VOCATIONAL SKILLL AND FORMAL EDUCATION

 

Vocational skills and formal education: their bond, effects and role to nation building

During the January-February 2014 edition of Edulight Magazine, in one of our segments tagged Bring it on, a debate was initiated that encourage students to take their stand on a particular issue. The publishers did trigger the attention and involvement of her esteemed readers by posing a vital topic which compares vocational skill with formal education. Interestingly, we had two fascinating arguments in writing: one for and the other against vocational skill. The two contending positions got one thinking, is there really much difference between the two of them or are simply same of a kind?

In this edition of EDU FOCUS, we will be examining the relationships between both of them as a learning process vis-à-vis their effects and role to the nation at large rather than looking at their differences. Here are some of the key similarities and effects of both vocational skills and formal education:

·         Vocational skill and formal education both have two respective parties, i.e. the tutor who passes knowledge and the student who receives knowledge. However, for vocational skills the tutor is referred to as master or mistress while for formal education he is called either teacher or lecturer depending on the tier. The students remain students in the formal educational setting while for vocational skills they are mostly called apprentice.

 

·         Vocational skill involves the impartation of knowledge just as we have in the formal educational sector. Although for vocational skill it is focused on a particular line of skill which is not the case for formal education at the early stage of education until one gets to the tertiary level.

 

·         They both have a specific target of adding value to humanity which could be in terms of providing service or producing goods all for human consumption. This as a matter of fact is the underlining factor to everything we do. As the students are mostly determined to learn the rope of their desired/chosen profession over a targeted period, the tutors are always willing and readily available to see to the actualization of their dream by impacting and equipping them with the know-how.

Whether vocational skill or formal education, one thing is certain: their benefits cannot be over-emphasized. We will carefully examine some of their tremendous benefits, effects and roles to the individual and the nation at large;

·         They both empower us as humans to be solution providers in our respective fields, whether you are a vocational skill person or career person. This brings true fulfillment in whatever one is doing and earns a living also from.

 

·         The constant improvement that consciously and deliberately happens to these two will guarantee the development of the country at large in all fronts, which in turn will bring about the expansion of the economic frontier and improved living standard.

 

·         Both vocational skill and formal education will to an extent enhance security and decline in immorality in the country. This is because the citizens will be focused and take their minds off destructive acts. After all a popular saying holds that - ‘An idle mind is the devil’s work shop’.

There is no denying the fact that in this our present world, one is advised to possess either of the two or both, and keep improving on it in order to have a secured future and a vibrant economy as we have in some Asian countries, Europe and other fast developing countries.

Is reading among your 2014 resolutions?

 

Thanks to our esteemed readers for the year 2013 and welcome to the year 2014! May God continue to guide and provide for you this year and the years ahead. A resolution is a statement of intent which an individual or a group of people is willing to accomplish at a particular period.

The year 2014 has started and a lot of resolutions have been made by individuals; some people’s list of what to do and what not to do can be endless. And it is not based on religion but man needs to call on God for help in whatever we decide to do. Though deliberate and precise efforts must be internalized. Discipline, focus, planning and prayer are very pertinent to achieve what you and I promise to accomplish this year. Please note that prayer will not replace planning and planning cannot take the place of prayer. So we must work as if everything depends on work and pray as if everything depends on prayer concurrently.

As an individual, how many books have you vowed to read this year 2014? Or have you decided to buy books and give people to read? Are you ready to exchange yours with others? With this, you will be making an impact on the life of people without having to be with them physically. Millions of people did not fulfill the resolution they made last year. why? It’s not that they didn’t mean to meet their targets but the majority have no clue on how to go about it, so before you know it they are back to the starting point.

Let reading be among your habits this year because of the effects it will have on other declarations you have made. When you decide to do away with some habits or learn new ones, don’t just say it verbally and end it there. Find books that talk about that particular issue and read them. You can easily get them unless you decide not to look for them. When you read more, you will know more. I once read a book that says ‘The number of books you read in the last five years and the type of friends you follow will determine where you will be in the next five years’. This is a strong assertion which I strongly believe. Resolutions made will not accomplish themselves unless you have knowledge on each of them and how to accomplish them. Therefore you need to read more to be resolved to get the result.

Read your way to good health, wealth and prosperity.

Read! Read!! Read!!!

Recommended book for this edition is:

Take yourself to the top-By Laura Berman Fortgang

Nigeria Celebrates her Centenary

Nigeria celebrates her centenary

Nigeria as a country is 100 years old this year. On 1^st January 1914 the British Colonial masters amalgamated (i.e. joined) the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria to form one large country. Before that time the Northern and Southern protectorates were ruled separately.

It all started in December 1851 when British soldiers led by John Beecroft a British Naval officer attacked and defeated the army of Oba Kosoko of Lagos Kingdom. By that time we did not have Nigeria as a country, rather the territory that is now called Nigeria was made up of many kingdoms and states (big and small) which were self governed. White men came in as aliens or visitors that were interested in trade and spreading of Christianity. Some of the indigenous kingdoms or states were: Lagos, Oyo, Benin, Sokoto Caliphate, Borno, Jukun, Nupe, Igala, Igbo segmentary States etc.

As stated earlier, the relationship Nigeria had with Europeans and Britain in particular was horizontal (i.e. relationship between equals) but with time things took a new turn when the British started interfering with our internal affairs and imposed their will on us. The kingdoms that frowned or resisted them were attacked, burned down and their kings removed.

So it all started with Lagos. The king of Lagos Kingdom Oba Kosoko was faulted by the British, so the British went to war with Lagos, defeated Kosoko and replaced him with Oba Akitoye. Ten years later (1861) Britain took over Lagos as a colony and posted a white Governor called Moloney to rule it. After Lagos, they attacked Ijebu Ode (1892) and extended their influence to the entire Yoruba land .They also moved to the Niger Delta region in (1885) which they named Oil Rivers Protectorate. From Yoruba land they attacked the Benin Empire in 1897. Between 1901 and 1902 it was the turn of the Igbos to smell the British gun powder. Finally, by 1906 the entire Southern part of Nigeria had been defeated by the British, and in that same year (1906) Lagos colony and other parts of Southern Nigeria (which was called Protectorate of Southern Nigeria) were amalgamated with Sir Walter Egerton as its Governor. So it was in 1906 that all the southerners were united into one country. But the North was yet on its own.

Before the British stepped into Northern Nigeria, the territory was an Islamic country called Sokoto Caliphate. This kingdom covered a large chunk of the north excluding Bornu and a few small non-Muslim states.

The British Government sent Frederick Lugard to conquer this large territory for Britain. When Lugard got there, he saw a large kingdom that was well organized. However, he still carried out his assignment of conquering the place. He urged the Fulani rulers to surrender to British rule peacefully; a few towns accepted while others refused. Thus, Lugard declared war on recalcitrant towns, starting with Kontangora in 1901. The Lugard led army of 600 well-equipped men moved up from Kontagora to Yola, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and finally arrived at Sokoto. Thus, between 1900 and 1906, Lugard fought and defeated Sokoto caliphate and annexed it to Britain. And the name was changed to the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria. With that the British ruled over two different entities: the colony and protectorate of Southern Nigeria with Lagos as its capital and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria with Kaduna as its capital. Fredrick Lugard became the Governor or High Commissioner of Northern Protectorate and the British government gave him yet another assignment, which was to unite or amalgamate the two territories into one large territory.

Why did the British decide to amalgamate the north and the south? Here are some reasons adduced for this action:

i)        To reduce cost: They believed they would spend less money administering the territories as one colony rather than two colonies.

ii)       Surplus in the South, deficit in the North: When they ruled the two protectorates separately, the British recorded surplus funds in the South and deficit in the North. So with the amalgamation the surplus generated from the south would be used to offset the deficit incurred from the north.

iii)     The British felt that the people of the two protectorates were ‘brothers’ and should as such be in one nation.

Lord Lugard presented his report to London and on 1^st January, 1914 the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria were joined as one nation called the colony of Nigeria.

2014 makes it exactly 100 years since Nigeria started existing as one country. You can say it was Britain that created Nigeria, if you like. Even the name Nigeria was suggested by Flora Shaw and was adopted in 1898. Should we then continually refuse to live in peace as one people? Where there is a will there is a way. All Nigerians need is the will to live together as one, then every other thing will follow.

Yes! A hundred years old man has certainly come of age. Don’t you think so? Happy Centenary Nigeria.

 

 

Attention!! Ways to show kids you care

Ways to show kids you care

1. Notice them      
2. Smile a lot      
3. Acknowledge them   
4.  Learn their names

5.    Seek them out 

6. Remember their birthdays     

7. Ask them about themselves

8. Look in their eyes when you talk to them

9. Listen to them             

10. Play with them

11. Read aloud together      

12. Giggle together        

13. Be nice         

14. Say yes a lot

15. Tell them their feelings are okay                               

16. Set boundaries that kept them safe

17. Be honest           

18. Be yourself                 

19. Listen to their stories             

20. Hug them

21. Forget your worries sometimes and concentrate only on them                  

22. Notice when they are acting differently                       

23. Present options when they asked you a question     

24. Play outside together                            

25. Contribute to their collection             

26. Always surprise them            

27. Discuss dreams  and nightmares with them         

28. Display your artwork in your home  

29. Give them a special nick name           

30. Pamper them            

31. Talk openly with them   

32. Share a secret                           

33. Trust them                  

34. Be available                

35. Be their advocate                    

36. Tolerate their interruption                   

37. Respect them            

38. Become their advocate                 

39. Encourage them to help others                         

40. Love them no matter what                  

41. Introduce them to new experience                

42. Listen to their favorite music with them        

43. Include them in conversation             

44. Inspire the creativity            

45. Introduce them to people of excellence                       

46. Expect their best, don’t expect their perfection  

47. Empower them to help and be themselves 

48. Hold hands during a work     

49. Show up at their concerts, games and events              

50. Point out what you like about them.

 

Mrs. Tope Abdul, Teacher, Kembles Nursery & Pry School, Itire, Lagos.