First Class Diary: Don’t go to School for the Scores- SG

Don’t go to School for the Scores!

Hello everyone! Trust you’re doing well this period? My heart goes out to every one of you at this period. It’s another Monday and I’m excited to reveal another scholar to you.

The scholar for the week is Smart Godwin, a physics educationist. He is a young and charming scholar; lead Instructor at SMARTTUTORS. Please, meet Smart Godwin.

In his words,

A limiting factor is that most students go to school for the scores. They don’t go for the Hand, Head and Heart Transformation that the school causes. Students should be deliberate about learning whatever it is, they want to learn, so as to make their World a better place to live in after school.

Enjoy!

Abigael Ibikunle of Edugist: Please share with Edugist, a little about your background.

Smart Godwin: My name is Smart GODWIN MICAH. I was born in IJEBU ODE but I’m from Edo State (Ovia South). Attended primary school at Our Lady of Apostle Primary school and secondary School at Ijebu Ode Grammar school. My Parents are known as; Mr. and Mrs. Smart Karaiya Perewari a.k.a Baba Epe and Iya Epe.

I’m an Ijaw guy and interested in Revolutionizing Education in Nigeria by Integrating technology to EDUCATION. A recording Gospel Artist, lead Instructor at SMARTTUTORS, physicist (a home Tutor), and a serving Corp member in OGUN state.

 

AI: Was there any motivating factor(s) that influenced your choice of discipline and institution?

SG: Yes, there were. It’s quite a long story! I’ll try to summarise. I’ve always wanted to be an Educator right from the onset. But somehow, I had serious challenges while in school. At the end of my 6 years in secondary School at Ijebu ode grammar school, I failed my WAEC woefully.

So, I had to repeat SS3 in another private school, called Happy Day College. That was where I met Uncle Tobi Adeniji; our mathematics and physics teacher. He really took time to explain the basics of the core Science subjects I needed. He made me like calculations. This was what stirred up passion for PHYSICS AND MATHS.

My pastor, Dr Adepitan J.O, (Senior Lecturer at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun), advised I gave physics Education a try at Tai Solarin University of Education.

Probably because he knew I was interested in Education and loved PHYSICS a bit then. I registered for JAMB, did the post UTME and was offered an admission to study PHYSICS EDUCATION. I’m really glad I followed his advice!

 

AI: There are two major skills that every student must possess: COMPETENCE and PERFORMANCE. Competence revolves around skill acquisition. Performance is much more concerned about skills application. It is believed that most graduates are competent because their academic performance testifies to this. But they are performance-challenged.

This poor performance ipso facto hinders them from getting lucrative jobs in the labour market. What can you say about this assertion?

SG: You are quite right! Most Companies are not just looking for the equations in your head. They also need the maturity of your heart. Are you full of integrity? Are you committed and Loyal? What value are you adding? What hard and soft skills do you have? How would you improve the productivity of this Company?

This and more, are the likely questions they ask and look out for. That is if, you are employed at the end of the day. I must admit that this is where, most of us, who are fresh graduates, have issues!

 

AI: What do you think is responsible for competence without performance? Please suggest ways of improving the performance level of university students and graduates.

SG: The kind of Education system we run here in Nigeria is really not helping matters. Although, we can’t keep blaming the government or the schools and fold our hands, doing nothing. We just have to find a way of solving the problem.

One of the reasons, students have performance challenge is that; there is more of theories and less of practical. In the sense that, there is a need to integrate and relate all of the theoretical done to everyday phenomena.

The things we can see, feel and touch, we should be able to practicalize, whatever we are taught. This in one way or the other will help increase our Efficiency and capability. So, when we get to the Labor market, we will have no choice than GIVE WHAT WE HAVE!

Another limiting factor is that most students go to school for the scores. They don’t go for the Hand, Head and Heart Transformation that the school causes.

Students should be deliberate about learning whatever it is, they want to learn. So, as to make their World a better place to live in after school.

Furthermore, students should take advantage of every opportunity to learn more about Entrepreneurship and Leadership. There are so many free trainings organized for students that they can attend to add more value to themselves. This will increase their usefulness in the society.

While I was in school, I lost count of the seminars or leadership summit I went for and volunteered to be a part of. All of this in one way or the other helped me in the long run, after school.

I will give 3 suggestions that might be helpful:

(a) Nigerian tertiary institutions should work hand in hand with the govt to include practical based course contents. This will help to develop both the cognitive and psychomotor domain of the students.

b) Furthermore, they should also find a way of integrating Technology to Education to help students learn better. For students to learn better, there must be a repetition of whatever it is they are taught. This is because the learning pace of students differ.

Imagine what will happen if every lecture was recorded. Then, uploaded on an ACADEMY TUBE for students to access after class. With this, those who never understood the whole concept while in class can go back to watch the lecture.

They can rewind, pause and fast forward or do whatever they will, till they understand. Especially knowing they cannot do such in class, with their lecturers. This is exactly what Sal Khan did to improve the world’s education to be called ‘the teacher to the world.

In this 21st Century, EDUCATION and technology ought to be a Coin, two inseparable entity. This will do no harm but more good and help the world quickly achieve the sustainable development goal 4, quality Education for all.

c) Furthermore, Every Nigerian student needs to have a mindset of getting out of school to create jobs not seek for Job. What’s the essence of spending 4-5 years in the university to become a burden to the society?

Instead, let’s find a way of developing ourselves so much. Let’s acquire the necessary trainings and skills required. So that, we become wealth creators and not liability to the Society.

 

AI: Achievement in life transcends ones personal efforts. There were people who, during your programme, rendered some assistance that made your dreams a reality. Who are specific persons whose contribution you cant forget in your first-class feat?

SG: My parents; Mr. and Mrs. Smart Karaiya Perewari, are a gift from God, they are just super amazing. Thank you Iya Epe and Baba Epe for always being there for me. I can’t but mention Dr. Adepitan J.O and Mrs Adepitan, Mr. and Mrs. Faniyi, Mr. and Mrs. ADESEGUN, they are all GRACE, from God to me.

My Project Supervisor, Professor Oyebanjo (I’m so grateful ma), My H.O.D, Dr. Ayanda, Dr. Falayi, Mr. Adelaja, Dr. Fidelis, Dr. Giwa, My Mentor (Mr. Cornelius Bankole).

My Big Sis (Mum Dave), Big Bro (Uncle Smart), Bro Samson, and every member of my family. All of my friends; Kola, Victor, Ayo, Kofo and everyone I didn’t mention. I appreciate you all. God bless you all!

 

AI: As a first-class graduate, are you currently gainfully employed?

SG: No, not yet. I’m still serving my Father Land. I am a serving Corp member in OGUN state. But I wouldn’t mind, if any company asks me to send in my CV! Lol!

AI: Do you think your grades have or is giving you any major advantage over other graduates with lesser grades?

SG: Yes! To some extent, I have an edge.

 

AI: For students who aspire to graduate with outstanding grade like yours, what would you advise them?

SG: I would advise that they shouldn’t allow their background to put their back on the ground. They should aim higher and dream big. I was privileged to listen to a sermon preached by DayStar Senior pastor, Pastor Sam Adeyemi. He said whatever your mind can perceive, you can achieve. I wanted to do Excellently well right from the Onset.

So, during my 100level days, I asked a carpenter friend to design a Vision board. I hung it in my room and pasted my desired results for each of the courses.

For each semester and session, I prayerfully trusted God and worked hard. This is to ensure it was a first-class result, despite my million commitments.

I wouldn’t have done well without God’s favor. So, I thank God, for gracing me enough!

 

AI: What would you advise the government to do to improve the standard of our education system?

SG: They should find a way of working with non-governmental organizations to integrate technology to education. Also, to finance the education sector well.

Sal Khan once said and I quote:

“Lack of Education is the root of the World’s problem.”

Education can be the Solution to all the World’s problem. They can also work hand in hand with companies like Microsoft and Google to create virtual schools. With this, we can do away with the conventional ways of teaching.

 

AI: Any other thing you would like to share?

SG: I really love this that Edugist is doing, it’s inspiring! I will also like to say a big thank you to EDUGIST for this Opportunity!

I close with this:

Never you feel like you are better than everyone else, be humble enough to learn from anyone. No man is an island of knowledge.

 

That’s it for this week’s episode. I hope you enjoyed the interview. Do you have a scholar you would love to be featured? Or would like to sponsor any of our scholars you find their stories inspiring?

Do you want to contact any of them for engagements? Please reach out to me directly: abigail@edugist.org or +2347035835612.

I am Abigael Ibikunle and celebrating excellence is a top priority for me. iTeach, iSpeak, iTrain, iFacilitate, iWrite, iInterview and iLoveYou all. Smile! See you next week!