If you've studied in Nigeria and have studied/are studying in the UK, then you don't have to be told that the educational system, even though somewhat similar, it's totally different.

First of all, in the UK, education is free, and that is from age 4-18, except of course private schools. Kinda the same in Nigeria though, but then public school wahala (problems) eh . . . hm. In fact, there's just no way you can compare Public schools in England and Nigeria.

No way!

In England, you start primary school from the age of 4 all the way to 11. From 11 to 16, secondary school. Then you go ahead to do A-levels and AS levels (I'll never understand how that works) or college until 18 years. After that, you choose whether or not to further your education.

It's all ordered here. As in, You know what class you'll be at a certain age.

Not the same in Naija. Firstly, It's not compulsory to start school at 4 years. Some start at an earlier age, some later. So there can be students of different age range in same class. That's where you'll find some old mamas and papas in your class. Those ones that will sit at the back row and be bullying everyone lol

Moving on to methods of teaching in both countries.

Our Nigerian method of teaching is by force. Your teacher will come in the classroom with his/her long cain. "Okay class, stand up and recite your 2 times table". Everyone stands up and starts singing.

Do y'all remember the song for it? Lol

And then, if you dare mess up, you know you're in soup. So you just gotta learn it.

In England, the students are pampered into learning stuff. You'll hear the teacher say stuff like, "oh no, not quite. How about you try again" in the most gentle voice ever. "Let's give it another go."

They are very much aware of the child's emotional well being, their confidence and self esteem. Whereas in Nigeria, we do more of shaming the child when they get it wrong.

Ways of teaching here are so different. It's more practical, more hands on. They concentrate on different learning styles and implement it. Whether you're a visual, auditory or kinesthetic learner, they find ways to help you individually and suit the teaching to meet your needs.

That's why the classrooms have colorful and eye catching displays, with colourful learning walls, that aids visual learning. They can play videos to aid auditory learners. And also let the children make things, (for those that like touch and feel.)

For instance, learning about fractions, they'd let the children make a fraction wall with strips of paper. And they can colour it in as well. That helps them in a way understand more about it.

I think it's really cool actually.

I worked as a teaching assistant in a school, and it amazed me how teachers teach. They have to take into consideration the abilities of all their students. For example, in a class you could have some children who don't know their 2 times table at all, some children​ would know it. Some would know their 2s, 3s, and 5s, and some would know all to 12. Now the teacher has to plan her lesson so that it meets the needs of all of the students. That usually mean she might have to teach a particular topic in three or more different levels. So we'll have like a tray of different colours (red, amber and green) where there are worksheets of different levels so children can choose according to their abilities. Or we go with the terms: mild, hot, spicy, flaming.

Red/mild being easiest, amber/hot is like average . . . You get the idea.

In Nigeria, who knows about any of these stuff? Visual Learner??? Auditory what? . . .

Mtcheww...We all get taught the same thing. If you don't understand. You're O.Y.O (on your own). Only the thought of failing and having to repeat that class would be enough motivation for you to try harder.

That brings me to the next point. Exams. For Nigerians, Exams are nothing. They're like bread and butter to us, right.

For every term in every class and for each subject, we have to write tests and exams.

: 1st Continuous assessment Test (CAT), 2nd CAT and exams.

: 1st CAT, 2nd CAT and exams

the same. Plus the final exam.

You would be given your result at the end of each term where your position in class would be revealed (ahhh! exciting times!)

All these tests and exams would be recorded and an average would be taken to see if you made the 50% cut off mark to pass to the next class. If you don't, you're screwed. You won't move on with your mates to the next class. Hence the reason why you can find a 17 year old in SS2 (year 11).

Who wants to be the olodo (dumb person) na? Lol

British people detest exams. They always panic about it. Obviously because they're not used to it. They go through every class whether they have the knowledge or not. Apart from their SATs and GCSE's, they don't write exams. The first time I told someone that in Nigeria we write exams every term for every class, the response I got was "oh my God! That's awful! That would totally stress me out. How did you cope? "

Well I just did. You just gotta.

Not gonna sound biased or anything, but in Nigeria we teach. Like we really teach. The teachers throw loads of information at you and expect you to absorb them like a sponge.

There are some basic things you would expect a British child to know at a certain age, but you'll be surprised. For me, at age 5/6 I was fluent in most of my times table. Do you know how many times we had to recite that ish . . .? And if you don't get it right, you'll be flogged.

3 times table, go . . .

3×1 3

3×2 6

3×3 9

.

.

.

3×11 33

3×12 36

36 articles makes 3 dozens!!!

Ayeeee!!! Those were the days joor.

In Britain, it's almost like children are given a choice when it comes to their learning. That's why they may not know most things they're supposed to. Like I said, they're pampered into learning. "Would you like to do this now? Or later?"

Obviously the child's answer would be "later."

They ease the child gently into learning. But in Nigeria, we throw it straight at them. Here, if you ask a reception/class 1 child what they did at school, they'll tell you, "I played with the building blocks, I drew a picture, I did some outdoor play."

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, their mates are doing homework, writing 1-500. Imagine na.

But one thing that annoys me in Nigerian way of teaching is that they teach you some unnecessary shit. For example, reciting the "states and capital" It was compulsory in my school back then to learn it.

Like, of what importance is it to me to know that the capital city of Jigawa is Dusté (I don't even know if I spelt it right sef) Who cares?

Who "states and capital" epp???

Haha funny enough I still remember the whole 36 states sha. That's to tell you the countless number of times I had to recite it growing up . . . ugh!

And what we teach also, is very constricted and basic. They teach you the basic things you need to know, which is great. And that's it. They don't teach you things happening abroad or in other countries.

In Britain, their teachings are more diverse. They learn about different landmarks in other countries, different religions, cultures e.t.c. They're more exposed in that sense.

Now, I don't mean for this to sound spiteful or anything, but I think that most British students don't know how lucky they are, in terms of the opportunity they have. Instead, They complain about everything, even when there's nothing to whine about.

They'll talk about the being stressed. "Oh my God, I'm so stressed right now. I'm so knackered. I can't be bothered to do any work."

Geez!!!

It's like, "just chill fam, you have everything easy." Primary and secondary school students, don't have to pay for school fees or buy school items like books, pens etc. All provided by the government. (You're thinking, lucky them abi....) There have access to libraries and other facilities and resources that aids better learning.

Yet they still moan.

If you've never had to study for your exams in a candle lit room, - because the yeye (stupid) people we call NEPA has decided to fool themselves and cut off the power - whilst fighting off mosquito singing in your ear and trying to suck your blood, then you better sharrap and stop complaining.

Or . . . even had to stay idle at home for months even though you're meant to be in school because your university has gone on strike . . . and you end up having to spend 6 years in the university instead of the original 4 . . .

*shakes head* Ah Nigerian education sha.

There is God o.

I'm sure y'all

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