By Umunna Patricia
THERE is absolutely no doubt that education plays a significant role in the development of any nation in the world. This, obviously, is the reason behind the massive investment in the education sector of many developed economies across the globe. It is an incontrovertible fact that no nation in the world can grow beyond the level of its educational system.
However, as the world is increasingly becoming a global village on account of the remarkable advances and breakthroughs in science and technology, there is need for a conscious and deliberate efforts to insulate our culture from the over-bearing influence of foreign cultural values.
This is because, the advances recorded in technology through the western education have not always yielded good dividends for people in third world countries like Nigeria who are at the receiving end of the avalanche of digital products and foreign cultural values which are quite inimical to our own home grown culture.
For this reason, therefore, it becomes very important for there to be concerted effort to reorient our children to counteract the inimical influences of foreign cultural values. In keeping with this idea, we as Nigerians desirous of a progressive and productive society, must make haste to nurture our children towards greatness through cultural orientation embedded in our educational system that would instill values, traditions, and a sense of identity in them. By incorporating cultural teachings and practices in the school curriculum, we help them understand their roots, history, and heritage as they grow up in life. This can foster a strong sense of belonging and pride in who they are. Nurturing our children towards greatness through cultural orientation is a vital aspect of their development. By instilling a strong sense of cultural identity and values from a young age, we can help them navigate the complexities of the modern world while maintaining a connection to their heritage.
Parents and caregivers at schools, play a crucial role in guiding children towards greatness through education and cultural orientation. By exposing them to their cultural practices, language, stories, music, and art, we help them develop a deeper appreciation for their background. This can lead to increased self-confidence, resilience, and a broader perspective on the world.
In addition to family influence, schools and community organizations can also contribute to nurturing children through cultural orientation. By incorporating diverse cultural perspectives into the curriculum and providing opportunities for children to engage with different traditions, they can broaden their understanding of the world and develop empathy and respect for others.
Cultural orientation involves teaching children about their traditions, beliefs, language, and history. It helps them develop a sense of pride in their cultural heritage and fosters a respect for diversity and inclusion. Other ways in which this reorientation can be achieved includes the followings:
Storytelling: When you share stories and folklore from your culture with your children, it helps them understand their roots and values in an engaging way. Telling them stories about their ancestors and their heroic deeds tend to reinforce their connections with their past and give them a sense of belonging to their culture and ways of life. Sometimes, stories are told using animals as the principal characters of such stories which are heavily laden with cultural values.
Another way in which cultural orientation can be made real for children is through helping them to participate in cultural celebrations and rituals as a family. This reinforces the importance of tradition and creates lasting memories. Virtually, every community has one form of celebration or the other. For instance, in Asaba, Delta State, one of the many festivals that the community celebrates is ‘Ineh’ festival. Participating in this festival for Asaba indigenes creates a sense of belonging and identification with the town’s cultural heritage.
Language learning is another critical way that helps to pass across our cultural heritage. Encourage your children to learn their native language or languages spoken in your culture. This helps them connect with their heritage and expands their communication skills. In order to encourage cultural awareness, it is also important to engage in cultural activities such as cooking traditional dishes, learning traditional dances or music, or creating traditional crafts. This allows children to experience their culture in a hands-on way.
Community involvement is another veritable way that would assist children to identify with their culture and heritage. Get involved in cultural community events and organizations. This helps children see the broader impact of their culture and fosters a sense of belonging.
Participating in community events enables our children not only to know and be known by other community members but it also helps to create lifelong friendships’ and relationships. By nurturing our children’s cultural identity, we empower them to embrace diversity, think critically, and become well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to society.
Overall, nurturing children towards greatness through education and cultural orientation is a holistic approach that can help them become well-rounded individuals who are proud of their heritage and equipped to navigate an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
