Learning from the past to build a better future

History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul. JOHN DALBERG-ACTON

To be candid, history is a subject that should not be neglected in any country. During my secondary school years, I had some exposure to history in the junior classes that was when I learned about different gods of the land for example, the gods of iron(Ogun), the gods of thunder(Sango) the devil(Esu), and others gods. Also, we were told the history of different masquerades and other traditional histories. The class used to be interesting for me because I liked to know more about my heritage. However, when I reached the senior class, there was no teacher available for the subject, and as a result, it faded from the curriculum.

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The neglect of history is primarily due to a lack of qualified teachers, and in many cases, it is not offered at the university level either. This is heartbreaking, especially for a subject that plays a critical role in preserving our heritage. Many schools still do not offer history, as it is not treated with the same seriousness as other subjects like Mathematics, English, etc Even though, some information is passed through movies and that's why I like seeing historical movies. However, it should not be abandoned in schools.

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Do we need to know about the achievements and mistakes of our past heroes and heroines?

Yes, absolutely! Our children need to learn about these figures so that our heritage is not forgotten. In my country, Nigeria, we see a shift away from our traditional customs and practices, as we increasingly adopt foreign cultures and lifestyles. Our history encompasses our unique ways of dressing, greeting one another, and celebrating festivities, but these cultural markers are becoming less prominent since we are now used to the things of other countries. Especially making English, a compulsory subject that must be passed before furthering your education to another level🤔 Nigeria, my country has deviated from our culture to another culture and the heritage seems collapsing due to negligence. History makes us learn from past mistakes to avoid repetition.

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Will history make any difference in today's world?

Reinstating history classes will make a huge difference in today’s world. I believe it will! History promotes understanding of one's family and cultural heritage. A strong understanding of history can influence the society and also the individuals. History promotes tolerance, understanding, and empathy and also preserves our traditions, cultures, and customs from falling. During the class of history, I learned about a hot and cold river joined together, as in, one is hot while the other part is cold Isn't this amazing! Also, we heard of a village where they conceive multiple babies and no one is seen barren. People visit the place for multiple babies and it is still visible today.

Do you feel that school boards should take history classes more seriously for the sake of our future?

Yes, of course. It is high time the school board needs to employ more history teachers and make history a compulsory subject that must be passed before moving on to the next class. School boards must ensure there are adequate history resources for teaching and learning and make a comprehensive and friendly history curriculum for better understanding. History as a subject should not be abandoned. We need to be informed!

All images used are sourced.

This is my response to the #hivelearners writing edition on the topic; Is history important?

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