Essay Writing Competition Here's why this contest has failed to fulfil its purpose in Nigeria
Essay Writing Competition Here's why this contest has failed to fulfil its purpose in Nigeria
No people can make progress with the type of education we have in this country.
Essay competition, like every other competition, should be a platform inviting the individuals and the society at large to partake in the pursuit of excellence.
Also, it can be said to be an intended platform on which the creative abilities of students are revealed through writing.
But
then the question immediately pops up, as to why are essay competitions
and other academic related ones not given the same hype and attention
as are given to others such as sports, talent hunting, reality t.v shows
e.t.c?
Why the fervent commitment to
that which does not contribute anything to the I.Q of the society, and a
passive negligence to that which should be taken seriously?
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Whatever
the answer may be, which of course cannot be reasonable enough, is the
reason why essay competitions no longer have that positive sway on the
educational sector as it used to.
As a
matter of fact, one can easily conclude upon observation that the
majority of youth, which a great number of them are students, wishes to
be the next rated music star.
And it is
not their talent that is stopping them from thinking otherwise, but
because they crave the fame and appreciation that comes with being one.
While
it remains illogical to condemn the desire of another, reasoning also
demands us to ask ourselves if our intended route will lead to new
medical discoveries in the face of the pressing danger of diseases and
child mortality.
Will it, in any way,
improve the transportation sector by building bullet trains? Would it
enhance the increase of agricultural produce through mechanized means
and at the same time monitor the state of the environment?
The
thing is, the problem we're facing as a people is not the problem at
all; what should be of great concern to us, is the crippled state of our
educational system.
No people can make progress with the type of education we have in this country.
Yes,
we're quick to put the blame on the government for not providing enough
funds to run the system, but what role are we playing as a people to
keep our educational system from ruin?
If
half the support given to television shows is bestowed on essays and
other academic competitions, the educational system would have been on
the benefiting side.
But as it now
stands, it is almost impossible to see if the system is being influenced
in any way, by the aforementioned competition.
Like
I said, it is illogical to condemn the desire of another. So you should
know I'm not calling for a downfall of this much loved and here to stay
entertained.
What I am simply saying is
that, if academics is been treated with the same energy and fervour by
our nation stakeholders, if the millions spent on shows such as big
brother Nigeria, Nigeria project fame, idols and similar types were
spent on spelling bees, essay competitions, science competitions, and
not the paltry sums and stipends put out as a reward, we would witness
what I believe would be a special type of renaissance in our country.
In fact, more and more people will subject themselves to the grueling task of pursuing education.
They would be inwardly spurred to press for better schools, to seek better teachers, the libraries would be filled again.
And when this happens, innovation will not only find oneness with our mind, our sense of reasoning will also be refined.
However,
while we bask in the pride given to us by the long strides made in the
entertainment industry, we must not fail to remind ourselves that we can
shine brighter if our education takes its rightful place.
Because
only then can we boast of quality doctors in large numbers, innovative
engineers and architects, and sound statesmen and women.
In
conclusion, we should bear in mind that the possibility of this change
will come if we all contribute our support to essays and other academic
competition.
Though the change will not be witnessed as soon as we start, but with time progress will be witnessed.
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