Let's Talk Children

I have chosen to listen to the podcast Beyond School Books, by UNICEF, which is about Education in Emergency and Post Crisis Countries: A mini-series on Changing the World for Girls.  The podcast features two local, educated women, who advocate for more girls in school. Dr. Judith-Ann Walker and Dr. Adefunke Ekine. According to the moderator, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of girls out of school. Dr. Walker and Dr. Ekine explain that, although education is free in Nigeria, girls face many obstacles such as poverty and accessibility, in addition to early marriage. One of the issues of getting married early is that these teenagers have babies and are left at the husband’s disposition. The prospective husbands are usually 15 years older than these girls (12-15 years old) and sometimes may negotiate with family the possibility of letting their future brides finish basic school. Dr. Walker’s research suggests that keeping girls in school can help diminish the cycle of early marriages, which ultimately gives them the power of making informed choices and new prospects. In other words, ending child marriages give girls the opportunity of education, therefore developing their skills, the possibility of having a voice in the community, and earning an income. Dr. Walker defines poverty as the main issue in distant areas around Nigeria. She also advocates for a non-formal education, but the kind of education that is relevant for the girl's context; culturally sensitive education that takes into consideration the local culture. In her opinion, this kind of approach can transform small communities, by equipping and empowering its population, especially mothers and girls.

Dr. Ekine advocates for accommodating children’s needs and for better practices within the school. She discusses the perpetuation of stereotypes of male (stronger, scientists, etc.) and female (weaker, incapable, etc.) roles in the curriculum and text books. She argues that there is a need for more science and STEAM female teachers where girls can see role models and are encouraged to pursue further education. Dr. Walker reiterates by adding that there is a need for a gender-neutral curriculum system. 

Dr. Ekine highlights that teachers should take into consideration male and female learning styles, development and the culture of sexism, where males have the final voice and are the leaders. She researched the factors that might help girls stay in school and found that smaller size classes were a key factor in a specific project.  For example, a science program targeted for grade 4,  used video lessons and animations to aid the learning. After only one year, they have found that girls in small class sizes outperformed boys and girls in larger classes (1:40; 1:60 ratio). Dr. Ekine mentioned that girls in smaller classes had a voice and were actively engaged which resulted in better achievement.  

Both interviewees agree that there has been an increase in enrollment and that there are government efforts in place. However, children do not stay in school for a long time. Dr. Ekine highlights the importance of teacher quality, and she recognizes a significant trend for the success of children’s future achievement: early childhood education. According to Dr. Ekine, the access to early childhood education has been a privilege in Nigeria, featured only in private schools, however, there have been new initiatives regarding early years and policies that mandate at least one year of early childhood education.

After listening to the podcast, I realized that women might be a key factor for positive change; as caregivers, educators, and active participants in the community. Speaking broadly, in countries where poverty plagues most of its population, the implications of early marriage have an even greater range than I initially thought. It perpetuates the poverty and ignorance cycle, while education provides the tools, to unite, empower and improve the prospects of these girls.

https://itunes.apple.com/qa/podcast/podcast-85-changing-the-world-for-girls/id77700259?i=1000170932005&mt=2