Simple Ways to Advocate Quality Education Without Joining an NGO by Aanuoluwapo Olajide

Education is a basic human right for everyone in life. For it to perform its duty in ensuring peace, eradicating poverty and ensuring sustainable development, it must be of quality. Since education is the fundamental block to building an enlightened community and people, it therefore behoves on educators as well as the general public to advocate quality education.

The effect of this is far-reaching and would transcend beyond the current generation to set precedence for the next generation thereby ensuring sustainable development.

Like Sandra Cisneros once said “The older I get, the more I’m conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn’t it?” we will be sharing five “tiny little things” you can start doing that will change the world without you necessarily joining an NGO.

• Educate yourself:

As the mantra goes, you cannot give what you do not have. In this case, you can only offer qualitative measures and techniques when you are informed about the different education policies in place in your community. If we are to demand what is right from the government and ensure that policies are working, then it must start from the man in the mirror – you and me.

• Have Conversations & Educate Those Around You:

Conversations about policies and issues you want to be addressed in your communities can start from the platforms you have with your friends, family, and followers through your various social media pages. With broader access to the internet unlike some decades ago, more awareness can be created to reach more people, enlighten them about the Sustainable Development Goals and encourage them to take actions that support the goals they are most passionate about.

• Support Credible NGOs Financially:

We understand how fast paced, and busy life can be for many people who want to do other things apart from their jobs but are not able to. If you are in this category and the only spare time you have is earmarked for personal development and family, a great way to advocate will be to support organisations with funds to enable them to carry out projects. Supporting the cause of quality education shows your concern for the education industry.

• Register to vote so you can push for better education policy and proper funding:

Governance plays a vital role in the economy of a nation. As such, basic civic responsibilities such as voting should not be handled lightly as it goes a long way in creating a conducive environment for individual growth and progress as well as that of the next generation. One pillar of quality education is the policies established by the government to ensure that provisions necessary for quality education are provided for by the law.

“While it may seem small, the ripple effects of small things is extraordinary. – Matt Bevin