The Senator representing Bayelsa West in the Senate, Seriake Dickson, has advocated for the promotion of arabic and french education, in addition to English, to broaden the worldview of Nigerian children.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Joint National Assembly Committees on Basic Education in Abuja, Senator Dickson emphasised that this would equip children with the knowledge of different languages, cultures, and civilizations.
Dickson noted that in today’s competitive global environment, it was essential for Nigerian children to be equipped with knowledge of multiple languages and cultures.
The former Bayelsa State governor argued that this would enable them to participate productively in the global economy and foster national development.
By prioritising education and promoting multilingualism, Dickson believe that Nigeria could unlock the potential of its citizens and drive national development.
The workshop, which focused on the challenges facing basic education in Nigeria, proposed amendments to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) law.
Dickson highlighted the need to strengthen basic education and address the issue of out-of-school children, a major concern in the country.
He emphasised that investing in education should be the topmost priority of the government, citing his own experience as a governor for eight years, where he prioritized education despite economic challenges.
Dickson stressed that education is crucial for national development and that government policies and programmes should prioritise teacher education, infrastructure, and funding.
He also called for further deepening of education programmes, with a focus on institutions and structures for teacher education, as well as policies and funding that need to be supported.
The senator’s proposals aimed to build on existing initiatives and policies, ensuring that Nigeria’s education sector continued to improve and provide opportunities for its citizens.
The senator’s advocacy for education is part of a broader effort to improve the sector and equip Nigerian children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
The senator’s call is part of ongoing efforts to improve the education sector and prepare Nigerian children for the challenges of the 21st century.
