THE EDUCATIONAL INSIGHT FROM THE UGANDAN BRUTAL VIDEO We know what this viral video of the brutal treatment of a toddler by the Ugandan housemaid has taught us, apart from that women can also be equally wicked and that all that happens to our children is not what we see, and maybe we have to be extra careful about domestic assistants etc? Well, to me the most important lesson that we could overlook is that it is the capacity of the child that will determine actual progress of the child. If the housemaid understood this then the forced feeding would not have been attempted in the first place for the sequence of events to follow. If this housemaid were to take the child on a walk for example she would sure have dragged the child along like a partially filled sack of maize or wheeled suitcase, all because the child is not keeping up with her pace, which to such characters, should always come first! Dear Colleagues, the greater insightful lesson in this rather unfortunate incident is that if the Advanced countries prepackage their support for the developing nations and at times attach conditionalities that are sometimes unrelated to the intervention in question, etc. they are in effect doing what seem trendy than what will actually help the people in question. Therefore, the outcomes may appear satisfactory for the documented reports, but the practicality on the ground may not be that satisfactory and sustainable. This is because human beings who are always at the centre of interventions and developments, do not change character overnight. In this respect, as good as education obviously may be, it is important to make it more appropriate; for, it does not make sense to invest in education in philosophical courses when technicians are what is needed. Neither would it help if focus is directed on tertiary level education when it is the basic level that lacks amenities to facilitate teaching and learning! Or will replacing basic schools courses with those meant for Senior High school be a good way to accelerate development? If we can allow and invest in nearly one-third of a person life, even if we are deprived as parents or a nation for their development before practising their careers, then let us consider the non-elite Ghanaians more, because they are bound to stay put whether Ghana fails or develops.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 10:24:11 +0000