Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, is shaking up the education scene with a powerful new strategy to inject life into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning. This isn’t just another tweak; it’s a full-blown pedagogical overhaul designed to get African students excited and excelling in these critical fields.
The ‘Model-And-Surpass Pedagogy’ (MSP): A Paradigm Shift
The buzz is all about the ‘Model-And-Surpass Pedagogy’ (MSP), a brainchild of Prof. Okebukola, which was officially launched at a grand international conference. Hosted by the Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME) and the International Research Group (IRG), the event saw educators and thinkers from across the globe gather to witness this groundbreaking innovation.
Professor Jomo Mutegi, a former President of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST), a leading US-based organization, had the honor of presenting MSP to the international education community. The conference wasn’t just a Nigerian affair; it attracted participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Burundi, Ghana, Finland, Nigeria, The Gambia, Mauritius, and Sierra Leone, highlighting the global significance of this development.
Why a New Approach? Africa’s Unique Educational Landscape
Prof. Okebukola, a recipient of the prestigious UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularisation of Science in 1992, isn’t new to innovating educational methods. He candidly explained that his drive stems from the realization that many teaching methods, often imported from the West, just don’t fit the African cultural context.
“The impression is always given that the method must be developed by the West to be right,” Okebukola stated. “Our researchers gleefully deploy these ‘oyibo’ methods and fail to look inwards to innovate in developing and researching socio-culturally relevant approaches to teaching.” He believes this disconnect contributes significantly to the often ‘lacklustre’ performance of students in STEM subjects.
Previous Triumphs: The Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach (CTCA)
This isn’t Prof. Okebukola’s first foray into revolutionizing STEM education. Back in 2015, after more than four decades of dedicated research, he introduced the Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach (CTCA) and the Okebukola Eco-Techno Cultural Theory.
The CTCA has since made waves globally, finding its way into classrooms in numerous African nations, as well as in Asia, Europe, and North America. Studies have consistently shown its effectiveness in boosting student performance in both science and non-science subjects, proving that culturally relevant pedagogy can indeed yield remarkable results.
The ‘Model-And-Surpass’ Philosophy: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators
The core idea behind MSP is simple yet powerful: students should be inspired by the achievements of great scientists and encouraged to aim even higher.
“The logic is that by striving to model the great scientist and implement a work plan to surpass such scientist, the student will learn the way of the scientist and work towards achieving greater heights. When there is a will, there is a way. The outcome is predicted to be improved achievement and better attitude to STEM.”
This philosophy is embedded in a seven-step process designed for practical classroom application:
- Step 1: Scientist Selection: Teachers choose two eminent scientists relevant to the topic, with at least one being of African descent.
- Step 2: Student Research: Students delve into the lives of these scientists, uncovering their struggles, triumphs, and admirable qualities to emulate and surpass.
- Step 3: Comparative Analysis: Groups of students compare and contrast the two scientists, sharing their insights with the class.
- Step 4: Personal Modeling: Each student identifies the attributes they wish to model and surpass in the chosen scientists.
- Step 5: Lens of Greatness: The teacher presents the lesson’s topic through the inspiring perspectives of the selected scientists.
- Step 6: Interactive Engagement & Practical Application: The lesson becomes a dynamic discussion, encouraging practical activities, experiments, and students sharing how they plan to emulate and surpass the scientists.
- Step 7: Consolidation & Reflection: The lesson concludes with a summary, evaluation, and students submitting notes on their learning and aspirations inspired by the scientists.
The Road Ahead: Testing and Global Impact
The efficacy of MSP is already being put to the test. A dedicated team of researchers from the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education (ACEITSE) at Lagos State University, spanning Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, has embarked on a series of studies to rigorously evaluate the pedagogy.
The ultimate aim? To ensure that MSP plays a pivotal role in achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063, ‘The Africa We Want.’ Prof. Okebukola is confident: “The days of Africa playing second fiddle in STEM enterprise will soon be over.” This initiative promises to be a significant step towards empowering African minds and fostering a new era of innovation on the continent.
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