In Nigerian society, being a teacher isn’t typically ranked as a prestigious career to have. But Chika Okorafor Aneke is re-defining what it means to be a teacher. With over 23 years of teaching and 17 years of leadership experience under her belt, Aneke, who is Nigerian-British, is an all-round education expert who has impacted the lives of thousands during the course of her career.
She holds a BSc in applied physiology from Sunderland University in the U.K; a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in Secondary Science, and the UK National Professional Qualification for Headship, NPQH, which is one of the highest qualifications in the world for Head Teachers.
For Aneke, teaching is not merely a career; it is a genuine passion and calling. As a result, she has dedicated her life to promoting the love of learning both in and out of the classroom. For over two decades and counting, she has been working with children from age 0-18 years, as well as their families. She is the CEO of Learnomic, an education consultancy company that helps train school personnel, and establishes sustainable systems to foster more efficient administration and systems that encourage better learning.
In this interview with Vanguard, Aneke says the coronavirus pandemic is a global wake-up call for a technology-compliant education sector.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
How do you feel about education being threatened globally with schools now on shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic?
First, I am not convinced that this is a ‘threat’ to education. I always focus on the positives. It is a lesson or a wake-up call. Education is a right for all regardless of age, status, gender or religion. Respect for this profession has been lost. We have been shown, almost overnight, just how vital it is. We have also been shown that certain aspects of education should not be ignored and the value of life skills, change management, flexibility, technology, growth mindset, and mindfulness are our biggest assets at this said time. Education will change after this historic event for the better forever, I hope.
I see this as something reinforcing class differences because children from well-to-do homes still enjoy online lessons; how can the gap be bridged for their low-income counterparts?
I would say that in general, our education system must be improved. Learning remotely now that everyone is home has been a challenge for many, regardless of social class. Imagine how much preparation, effort, and discipline it takes to make children sit in front of computers or physical books, and have them dressed in school uniform, and encourage them to learn as though they are still in school! Whether you are “wealthy” or “less wealthy,” this is something a lot of parents must face. What our current situation shows us is how technology can be used to reach all youth regardless of status and means. E-learning tools don’t have to be fancy or expensive. Even with a bit of internet data, parents can have some access to online learning tools currently. We definitely need more state schools of a standard that compete with the private sector.
Toni Tones heard about the movement via social media, and was deeply moved by their cause. Consequently, she sought to help them develop sustainable measures to ensure that women continue to remain safe while visiting the market.
