EDUCATION, AND THE CULTURAL IMPERATIVES OF EARLY LEARNING – OZIOMACHI

 EDUCATION, AND THE CULTURAL IMPERATIVES OF EARLY LEARNING – OZIOMACHI

Education remains the most powerful tool for transformation — a cornerstone upon which true development and emancipation are built. It is the beacon that dispels ignorance, fosters innovation, and guides individuals toward self-fulfillment and societal advancement.

In my view, education is not merely about literacy or the acquisition of certificates; it is about shaping the mind, refining behavior, and nurturing character from the earliest stages of life. The lessons learned in childhood are permanently imprinted on the mind, forming the foundation upon which personal growth and societal progress rest. This is why I strongly emphasize the critical importance of early childhood education, a stage where values, discipline, and curiosity must be carefully cultivated. This principle aligns with the objectives of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) framework, which seeks to guarantee equitable access to foundational learning for every child.

However, beyond the formal classroom setting, there exists another dimension of education that is often neglected — our culture and traditions. Culture defines a people’s identity; it shapes their worldview, informs their behavior, and influences how they relate with others. As such, any educational system that fails to recognize and incorporate the positive aspects of culture risks alienating young learners from their roots.

It is therefore crucial that we integrate positive and non-obnoxious cultural values into the learning process from early childhood. Doing so helps children internalize a sense of belonging, respect for elders, communal responsibility, and moral integrity. These ingrained values become not just habits, but a way of life — serving as guiding principles in adulthood and beyond.

True education, therefore, must go beyond academics. It must produce individuals who are intellectually capable, morally grounded, and culturally conscious. Our goal should not only be to teach children how to make a living, but also how to live meaningfully — guided by knowledge, wisdom, and virtue.

In Bende North and across Abia State, we are committed to promoting this holistic vision of education — one that harmonizes learning with culture to produce balanced citizens equipped to build a just, responsible, and progressive society.

Indeed, education without culture is incomplete, and culture without education is powerless. Together, they form the heartbeat of true progress — a philosophy I, OziomaChi, proudly uphold.

Hon. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi – FCIMS, FNIS

Lawmaker Representing Bende North Constituency, Abia State House of Assembly