Int’l Youth Day: How Obaseki prioritises youth development through EdoBEST

In early 2022 there was a major shift in the direction of education policy in Edo state as EdoBEST, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s basic education transformation programme, was introduced to 232 state-owned junior secondary schools.

Having achieved measurable success in primary schools where the programme was introduced four years earlier, the move was a deliberate strategy to extend EdoBEST to other demographic groups which were yet to feel the full impact of education reform in the state.

By the end of February 2022, junior secondary schools that were hitherto described in Edo (on the lighter note) as “analogue schools” became “digital schools” following the successful EdoBEST Induction training of 1,859 teachers and principals at the EdoBEST Induction Training programme.

These steps were taken in a bid to position Edo youths for a better future.

Indeed, Governor Obaseki’s focus on youths in the junior secondary school system was instigated by an exodus of youngs who were faced with the unfortunate choice of either remaining in a country which had not equipped them with the right education to be gainfully employed or embark on the perilous journeys to Europe in search of green pastures. Unfortunately, most of them chose the latter and with their choice came unsavoury consequences.

The governor was determined to change the tide through education. “It is the right of every child to receive quality education. Denying anyone access is not just an abuse of their rights — it also reveals a catastrophic failure which must be tackled, not neglected,” he said in an article published in the Financial Times.

To match action with words, the governor ensured that all junior secondary schools in Edo state get better education and the process was started in what is referred to as the disarticulation of junior secondary schools from the senior secondary school system. By so doing, the governor extricated junior secondary schools from the senior secondary school system and repositioned the students for better learning outcomes by opening them up to the EdoBEST methodology.

A sophisticated learning intervention

A number of factors make EdoBEST unique. First it places the academic wellbeing of students and the professional development of teachers at the centre of education policy.

In EdoBEST schools, lessons are student-centred taking into account the need to prioritise learning outcomes and developmental stages of youths in each age grade.

The overall aim is to maximise learning through the use of technology, thereby achieving accelerated learning. Taking lessons from the teacher tablets, a teaching device that helps teachers navigate through lessons efficiently, the emphasis of every teacher in the junior secondary school system is learning for skills.

The guides allow for creativity as the students are encouraged to participate in classes through prompts and a standardized curriculum which was developed to achieve the pillar of EdoBEST 2.0 related to skills development and sustainability.

For the teachers, the technology is easy to use and helps teachers keep track of their classes. Mrs. Oriaifo Belinda, a Mathematics teacher at Itohan Girls’ Grammar School, says while delivering lessons via the teacher tablet students are better focused as the methodology gives her room to pay attention to the learning needs of each student as it incorporates their feedback into the lesson plan.

“I have been able to teach the students properly and their performance has improved. They now look forward to more practices,” she says

Prioritizing the future

At the official launch of EdoBEST 2.0, the governor noted that the reform would focus on basic education, secondary schools, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and tertiary education. He noted that, “EdoBEST 2.0 is to create an enabling environment and leadership to implant reforms at all levels; and at the basic education and secondary school provide minimum standards for public and private schools; management of and next generation Education Management Information System (EMIS); merit-based hiring and certification for teachers and management staff; and strong community participation in schools.”

The government continues to prioritize education as a driver for societal development as it is upskilling youths through technical, vocational and formal education.

During the celebration of the 2022 International Youth day, the governor noted that he will sustain efforts to guarantee better opportunities for youths in Edo state, equipping them with the right skills and conducive environment to realize their fullest potential.

“In recognition of the indispensable role of youth in development, we have embarked on several reforms and projects to provide Edo youths with the right environment to succeed, equipping them with in-demand skills to thrive in a technology-driven 21st century and ensuring that they are adequately empowered to contribute their quota to the development of their immediate communities,” the governor said.