It's really amazing...after five years of mind numbing lethargy, it appears that I might once more find reason to take pride in studying. If the lectures I have recieved so far are anything to go by, then I'd say the law school is a much different place from most educational institutions in Nigeria. I'd never have believed that a lecturer with such a thick igbo accent could come across in such an intellectual and interactive style yet convey his message in such an easy to understand manner. But on my first day at the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, I was practically blown away. I actually stayed awake through most of the lecture...a feat I can't remember performing since Barrister Jemilohun's 400level conflict of laws lectures!
The lecturer seemed genuinely interested in us. Not just in our comprehension of the subject he was teaching, but also our long term success. Before launching into the day's business, he delivered ,in that thick igbo accent of his, one of the most inspiring motivational speeches I have ever heard, dispelling all our doubts of our ability to make it to the bar and awakening the will to succeed, a can-do spirit in our hearts. He then went on to say a deep and heartfelt prayer for the success of the day's lecture.
Needless to say, he kept us hanging on his every word (regardless of the thick accent) throughout the duration of the lecture.
I know it might be a little too early to form an opinion based on my first lecture at the Enugu law school, but what I witnessed in that lecture hall on that day told me that there is still hope for education in Nigeria. I had come to the conclusion that it would be a cold day in hell when I decide to pursue any kind of academic qualification in Nigeria beyond my law school certification. I haven't changed my mind yet. But I would be willing to, if my experience today could be replicated in every classroom across the nation.
It's a tall order really, but I sincerely dream of a time when nigerian education will come into its own, and birth an evolved system;
A system in which the welfare and success of pupils are the tutor's pride.
In which academics are academics in every sense of the word and not thieving plagiarists spewing tons of publications, none of which are original.
In which students are not afraid to ask questions for fear of exposing the teacher's ignorance and the attendant consequences of doing so.
In which teachers encourage innovation and original thought from their students and are not afraid of having their prior conceptions challenged by younger logic.
In which academic arguments are just that...academic; and do not go beyond the classroom nor extend into personal relationships.
No comments:
Post a Comment