Don Harps On Importance Of Education

BY PAUL EGEDE /AGBOR

THE importance of functional and ef­fective education as a catalyst for personal, economic, and societal development took the center stage at the End-of-Year Get-Together of the Abavo Alionye UNIZIK Alumni Association held at Abavo, as Dr. Ernest No­num delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled “Building a Strong Foun­dation for a Better To­morrow by Acquiring a Functional and Effective Education.”

In his lecture, Dr. No­num described educa­tion as the cornerstone of societal progress and individual empowerment, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved when learn­ing systems go beyond theory to address real-life challenges. He noted that investing in education today is a deliberate step toward securing a pros­perous, equitable, and stable future.

According to him, a functional education must be practical, relevant, and adaptable, equipping learners with employable skills, entrepreneurial capacity, and problem-solving abilities suited to an ever-changing techno­logical and social envi­ronment. He added that education becomes truly meaningful only when it prepares individuals to respond effectively to contemporary challenges.

He further explained that effective education is measured by outcomes, not intentions. Such a system, he said, is driven by quality curriculum design, competent and motivated teachers, in­clusive learning environ­ments, and continuous assessment mechanisms that enhance teaching and learning processes.

Highlighting the broad­er impact of education, Dr. Nonum emphasized its role in personal de­velopment, noting that education fosters critical thinking, ethical values, social responsibility, and lifelong learning. He stat­ed that educated individu­als are better equipped to make informed decisions and adapt to changing realities.

On the economic front, the guest lecturer said education remained a major driver of produc­tivity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He ex­plained that nations with strong education systems are better positioned to compete globally, as a skilled workforce stimu­lates growth and attracts investment.

Dr. Nonum also un­derscored the role of education in promoting social cohesion, stating that educated citizens are more likely to par­ticipate actively in gover­nance, embrace cultural diversity, and contribute to peaceful coexistence. He added that access to quality education helps reduce inequality by pro­viding opportunities for all segments of society.

He, however, identified several challenges con­fronting the realization of functional and effec­tive education, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, limited profes­sional development, the digital divide, and incon­sistent education policies across regions.