The Child and Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF) has issued a compelling appeal to the Federal Government, urging the inclusion of peace education in the country’s school curricula.
The call comes just ahead of the International Day of Education on January 24. Kolawole Olatosimi, the National Coordinator of CYPF, emphasized the paramount role of education in advancing peace and development.
He stressed the critical need for peace education to be an integral part of the educational framework to foster a more cohesive and understanding society.
Olatosimi emphaised the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to create an environment where peace education is readily accessible to students at every educational level across Nigeria.
He proposed a curriculum that not only focuses on academic learning but also places a significant emphasis on developing empathy, critical thinking, and other essential skills for peaceful coexistence.
“To establish a lasting peace, our investment in education must be not only substantial but also effective, equitable, and tailored to the current needs of our world,” Olatosimi remarked.
According to Olatosimi, education serves as a potent tool for building a more peaceful world by mitigating conflict and violence through the promotion of understanding and tolerance.
He highlighted that education equips individuals with the skills and knowledge required to resolve problems and find peaceful solutions to conflicts.
As CYPF advocates for the integration of peace education into the curriculum, it stresses the significance of a comprehensive approach to education that extends beyond academic accomplishments, aiming to mold individuals into responsible and empathetic members of society.