The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) has issued an urgent appeal to the Nigerian federal government to hire more creative and fine arts teachers, emphasizing that play-based learning methodologies significantly enhance students' critical thinking abilities, collaboration skills, and problem-solving capabilities. This call comes as education experts increasingly recognize the vital role of creative education in developing well-rounded students prepared for the challenges of the modern world.
The appeal was made during a comprehensive workshop organized through a collaborative effort between the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria and the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service. During this educational event, students had the opportunity to explore innovative approaches to learning, particularly examining how play-based activities can be transformed into meaningful art and cultural experiences. The workshop demonstrated practical applications of creative learning methodologies that have proven successful in international educational settings.
Irene Okafor, a representative from UBEB, delivered a stark warning about Nigeria's educational trajectory, stating that the country risks falling significantly behind in global educational standards if it continues to sideline creative education initiatives. Okafor highlighted the concerning disparity between Nigeria's current approach and the progressive educational strategies being implemented by countries like South Korea, which has successfully integrated play-based learning into its national curriculum framework.
Korean educational instructors Jin-ju Kang and Jung-won Ye, who led the workshop sessions, provided detailed insights into the comprehensive benefits of play-based learning approaches. They emphasized that these innovative teaching methods foster multiple developmental areas simultaneously, including imagination enhancement, teamwork building, advanced problem-solving capabilities, body language awareness, empathy development, and opportunities for global cultural exchange. Their presentation highlighted how these educational strategies create more engaged and capable students.
The workshop serves as part of a broader international effort to share successful educational practices and demonstrates the growing recognition of the need for educational reform in Nigeria. The collaboration between Nigerian and Korean educational institutions represents a significant step toward modernizing teaching approaches and preparing students for an increasingly interconnected global society.
