EXPERTS in the education sector has stated that Nigeria’s school programs which focus exclusively on the 15 per cent Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is destroying the quality of education.
They said this has led to the creation of graduates and school leavers who do not possess the basic skills for values-based leadership, creativity and innovation, communication and financial literacy.
The Founder and Director of Life Skills Experts, Omagbitse Barrow made the disclosure at a press conference to kick start the 2017 Schools Debate League in Abuja.
He explained that Experience Quotient (EQ) accounts for 85 percent which creates the needed form of intelligence.
His words: “social scientists across the globe are all unanimous on the fact that for individuals to achieve the sustainable success they need a combination of academic skills and life skills – Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Experience Quotient (EQ).
“Interestingly, they also agree that as a component of success, EQ accounts for 85 percent while (IQ) accounts for 15percent. This means that the major thrust of our efforts to educate our children should be focused on EQ and the life skills that create this form of intelligence.”
He lamented that the trend as continued unchecked saying: “No one is really paying attention to this, meaning that children, all of us, grow up with a significant deficit in the particular areas that actually matter the most to our success”.
In a bid to proffer solution to the shortcomings, Barrow said the Centre developed resources and programs deployed to schools to prepare children for the neglected 85 percent, EQ.
“Our efforts have seen us develop books and resources in the four life skill areas of Leadership, Communication, Innovation and Financial Literacy. We have also intervened in the academic arena, the 15 percent space by developing an 8-hour long video on mathematics for Upper Primary School and a Quick Reference Guide on Nigerian History Civics and Current affairs for Upper Primary tools,” he said.
He stated that young children will benefit from the learning experiences that tasks them to think about real life issues and challenges, thus transferring such to persuasive arguments and presentations.
SOURCE: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE