By Prince J. Musa in Kenema
Teachers drawn from schools in Kono, Kailahun and Kenema districts, have been given an orientation on civic Education topics during a training of trainers session, ahead of the planned reintroduction of civic education as a subject in schools across the country. The event which was organized by the National Council for Civic Education and Development (NaCCED), in collaboration with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), took place in Kenema on Wednesday 26th October.
In his statement, the lead facilitator of the training, Professor Joe AD Allie, said civics teaches citizens about patriotism and nationalism and was in the past "an integral component in the school curriculum", but he noted that introduction of modernization in the educational system has contributed in killing the essence of civic education in the country.
He said lack of civic education over the years had led to a lot of lawlessness and disrespect for authorities and paved the way for corruption.
Prof. Alie stated that the people’s cultural values and societal norms have been adversely affected and he expressed the hope that the training will prepare the ground for a return of civics to the educational system. He pointed out that civics teaches citizens to be more patriotic and nationalistic and frowns at regionalism and tribalism.
Professor Alie told the teachers attending the training that the Ministry of Education will work with the West African Examinations Council to ensure that civics is considered as a core subject to be taken in public exams.
The Deputy Director of Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Kenema, John Amara Swarray, said Sierra Leone as a nation has failed to focus on the essence of civic education, thereby creating a negative impact.
Swarray stated that being an educated person adds value to an individual and the society the person resides.
"Any education that doesn't impact the lives of others positively is no education", he observed.
He asserted that civic education supersedes other interests and exhorted for national cohesion to be placed above all other interests, saying that civic education portrays national unity rather than tribalism, regionalism and party politics.
The District Officer at the Teaching Service Commission in Kenema, Umaru Massaquoi, told the gathering that participants for the training in the Eastern Region were selected based on their experience in certain subjects, after a thorough screening process.
A NaCCED official, Sheku James, encouraged the trainees to take to the school children the correct messages.
Copyright © 2020 Politico Online
