Catholic Church urges action on Nigeria’s education crisis
The Catholic Church has urgently called on the Nigerian government to take immediate action to address the ongoing education crisis that has left millions of children out of school.
In a statement released to mark the International Day of Education, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) stressed that education is a fundamental right for every child and urged the government to work alongside religious organisations to establish schools and provide scholarships, especially in rural areas. These partnerships, the Church argued, would promote holistic education, ultimately contributing to the development of a stronger, fairer Nigeria.
The statement, co-signed by Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida, Director of Church & Society; Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, Director of Social Communications; and Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General of the CSN, underscored education’s vital role in societal transformation.
The Church also highlighted the significant responsibility of parents in shaping their children’s character, stressing the importance of values such as honesty, compassion, responsibility, and self-discipline in raising future leaders committed to justice.
The CSN also addressed the theme of this year’s International Day of Education, which was “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” While acknowledging the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in education and other fields, the Church cautioned against allowing technology to diminish human agency. It emphasised the need for ethical guidelines to ensure that AI serves the common good without replacing the essential human qualities of compassion and moral direction.
In their statement, the Church reaffirmed the right to education for all children, stating:
“As we mark the International Day of Education, we reaffirm the fundamental right to education for every child, without exception.
“In Nigeria, where millions of children remain out of school, we face a crisis that demands urgent collective action.
“We cannot be tired of reminding ourselves that education is an inalienable right that must be accessible to every child.”
The Church called on the government to collaborate with religious organisations to provide education in underserved regions.
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“To achieve this, the government can foster partnerships with religious bodies, leveraging their networks and resources to establish schools and scholarships, particularly in rural communities.”
“By doing so, we can ensure that holistic education becomes the foundation for building a stronger, more prosperous, and more equitable Nigeria.”
Addressing the theme of AI in education, the Church noted:
“The theme of this year’s International Day of Education, ‘AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,’ highlights a pressing challenge that transcends education and impacts all aspects of life.
“As we harness the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance various sectors of society, we must ensure that it augments, rather than replaces, human agency.
“Technology, including AI, must always complement and support human endeavours, rather than overshadow them.”
The Church also emphasised the vital role of parents in nurturing their children’s moral compass:
“Parents bear primary responsibility for educating their children. Through their words and examples, parents must instill essential values that shape their children’s conscience and empower them to become agents of positive change in a world that is in dire need of integrity, justice, and compassion.
“The key values that must be instilled in our children include honesty, respect for human dignity, compassion, contentment, responsibility, self-discipline, and reverence for God.
“By nurturing these values in our children at their tender age, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow, who will serve the common good with integrity, responsibility, and a deep commitment to justice and compassion.”
The statement concluded with a vision for a future shaped by these values:
“Ultimately, the formation of our children lays the foundation for a society where leaders serve with honesty, empathy, and a steadfast dedication to the well-being of all.”
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Picture Credit | https://warridiocese.org/
