The most important part of education is basic education. I heard this statement during an interview with a distinguished Nigerian, and it resonated with what I have always believed: the key to our transformation and success as a people lies in the classroom.

When I say “classroom,” I’m not just referring to a room bound by four walls. A classroom is wherever teaching and learning occur. Education is a continuous journey, not a final destination. The destination implies that a mission has been completed, and yet, we seem to be at the end of a long-standing, ill-conceived project: one where half-baked information is dispensed just to say that we are “educated.” We pride ourselves on how many of us have degrees, but have we considered the real return on the investments of time, money, and resources poured into this education?

If we are truly educated, shouldn’t the environment reflect the knowledge we claim to possess? Here we are in 2024, yet we still suffer from power outages with no tangible explanation. Haven’t we figured out by now that economic development and access to electricity are directly linked? But electricity is not our only challenge. We also face unchecked leadership. Perhaps this is at the core of our problems. If educated people struggle for so long to dismantle this, what does that say about the quality of our education? When I think of the leadership and the followers, I am reminded of the age-old question—which came first: the chicken or the egg?

For me, the egg is the foundation of life. I would prefer to focus on the egg, for reconditioning the chicken may be too resource-intensive. A single chicken lays many eggs, and those eggs will impact more lives faster than one chicken ever could. This is why I believe in focusing on students. A well-trained teacher has the power to shape many young minds, creating ripples that will spread far and wide.

Our current students need a thorough grounding in the basics. We are in such a rush to reach the top that we gloss over the fundamentals. Both students and teachers struggle with short attention spans. Teachers often lack clarity on the specific skills they should be imparting, while students view school as a means to please their parents rather than a space for real learning.

Pride is one of the biggest barriers we face. Too often, we flaunt our qualifications to impress others, not to add value to our communities. I am reminded of the Igbo saying, “Ogene na udu,” where the loudness of the gong and the pot is tied to emptiness. This pride, which often hides a lack of depth, is the very thing that prevents us from addressing the core issues of our educational system. This is why I advocate for a return to the basics.

What does a “back-to-basics” classroom look like? It’s one where human values and the true purpose of education are thoroughly addressed, so that our society becomes the first beneficiary of our educational system. Teachers must teach with depth, leaders must ensure accountability, and critical thinking should be an inseparable part of the curriculum. We cannot afford to delay these changes. True education doesn’t just earn accolades; it creates solutions. It transforms. Education is tangible, and it should begin in our homes.

Ka udo dili anyi! (May peace be upon us all.)

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A distinguished teacher, an author of award-winning books, a neuro-linguistic programming coach, human resource generalist, business administrator, management consultant and an articulate public speaker, Amara’s background in marketing, education and management makes her outstanding in the delivery of overall business services for optimal productivity. When she is not in the boardroom, she’s in the classroom or in her writing room.