Educating Your Child- A Worthy Investment! -Being a Lecture presented at Graceful Impact Academy, Ibadan Nigeria by Dr Ayodele John Alonge,

The Director and the School Administrator, Mrs. Oluwatosin Opaleke,  a Special Guest of Honour, Barrister Olaniyi George;  the Headteacher, Mr. Taiwo Akinade; respected teachers, proud parents, and brilliant Pupils of Graceful Impact Academy, Ibadan.  I thank Almighty God for the gift of life and the opportunity given to me to stand before you today as a Guest Speaker. 

I want to thank my sister in the Lord, the proprietress for this opportunity to deliver this lecture at this Maiden edition of the Parents-Teacher Forum. Parents- Teacher Forum is an important gathering of Staff and Parents with the goal of encouraging a spirit of cooperation and reinforcement in achieving success in the school thereby giving all-around quality service to the students. This should be encouraged. 

Introduction 

For Graceful Impact Academy to hold her Parents-Teacher-Forum today October 5, 2022,  is significant because it coincidentally falls on World Teachers Day. On this note, I say Happy Teachers Day to all the Teachers in this meeting. 

Every 5th of October has been set aside as World Teachers' Day, also known as International Teachers' Day, to celebrate and appreciate Teachers for their worthy, applaudable, and commendable investment in leading the soul of children to what is best and making what is best out of them. The theme for World Teachers' Day 2022 is “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers.”

Indeed the Transformation of Education begins with Teacher and it inceptionally and originally begins with you I mean all parents, fathers, and mothers. All parents are teachers. The Holy Bible says in the book of Proverbs “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, WEB). and the call was emphasised in the new testament that parents should Nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, WEB). 

This lecture, titled “Educating your child - A worthy investment!” is directed to PARENTS who the Bible says are teachers. And to TEACHERS, - trained Teachers and those who have chosen imparting knowledge a profession just like me.  This  is a clarion call to all teachers to take responsibility “Educating your child - A worthy investment!” 

EDUCATION

“Education is the measured and systematic process of leading the human mind and soul to the best information that is capable of leading to an effective performance of necessary tasks, thereby, creating lifelong skills, experience, and satisfaction” - A.J. Alonge

Education is a powerful agent of change, and improves health and livelihoods, contributes to social stability, and drives long-term economic growth. Education is also essential to the success of every one of the 17 sustainable development goals.

Education is regarded as a cornerstone of a well-rounded personality as well as professional success in all cultures. 

Knowledge, as the proverb goes, is indeed power. A firm foundation for a great and fulfilling future profession is laid by a good education during a child’s formative years.

Benefits of Education (Societal and Personal)

1) Healthier Lifestyle

2) Socializing and Networking

3) More Productivity

4) Better Communication

5) Critical Thinking Skills

6) Identification of Skills

7) Greater Sense of Discipline

8) More Employment Career Entry and Advancement

9) Economic Growth

10) Higher Income as a Benefit of Education

11) Open door international opportunities in Canada, US, UK etc

Benefits of parents getting involved in their child's education 

1) HIGHER GRADES 

2) BETTER BEHAVIOR 

3) IMPROVED EDUCATION  

4) INCREASED CONFIDENCE 

5) PARENTS BENEFIT TOO 

Conclusion 

Those who get an education have higher incomes, have more opportunities in their lives, and tend to be healthier. Societies benefit as well. Societies with high rates of education completion have lower crime, better overall health, and civic involvement.

Lack of access to education is considered the root of poverty. Not getting an education can lead to a cycle of poverty. However, access to education can mean getting out of that cycle.

-My personal experience -

I grew up in a humble home with very low financial power. My Father's early retirement from the Nigeria Military in 1982 left him with no pension when the oldest of 6 of us was less than just 8 years old then; and our mother was petty trading -selling stuff like oranges maize, and yam in front of our rented apartment.  In their low financial power, my parents were very determined and they invested in education - gave us quality education beyond secondary school, they struggled - worked harder, took loans, beg for support,  and today the 6 of us are all fine and in return,  my parents are now rich in everything: living in their personal house, with their personal car and they have traveled and can still travel out of abroad at will. 

Education is one of the most IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS A PARENTS can make to guarantee reward now and in the future. The reward is secured and far greater than mansions and money saved in the bank. It's a lasting inheritance you can leave for your children. 

Dr. Ayodele John Alonge, CLN, FIIM MIIPM

Lecturer, Department of Library, Archival & Information Studies, 
University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Fellow of the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA)