Education for Life, Not Just Exams
Education is one of the most important foundations of society, but the kind of education we practice today, especially in Africa and many other parts of the world, has its flaws. When you look at the structure of our schools, you will see that it often feels like a prison. Children are placed in classrooms for hours, told what to do, what to read, and what to memorize, with very little room for creativity or choice. Just like William Blake wrote in his poem The School Boy, many children find more joy in nature and discovery than in the four walls of a classroom that sometimes feel like a cage.
The issue is not that education itself is bad. Learning is a continuous process, and knowledge is necessary for growth. The problem lies in the way the system is designed. The school curriculum is mostly created by a few elites who believe they know what every child should learn, regardless of the child’s interests, talents, or passions. This makes education a one-size-fits-all approach. Children are forced to follow the same path, even though we all know people are different and gifted in unique ways.
Because of this rigid structure, students often feel trapped. They are not free to learn what excites them or what will truly help them in the future. Instead, they spend years chasing grades, trying to pass exams, and living under the pressure of being judged by marks. A student is considered successful if they get straight As, and a failure if they cannot. But life after school has shown us that grades do not determine success. Many people who performed well academically have struggled to find their place in society, while some who were average in school have gone on to build businesses, create jobs, and live impactful lives.
The grading system has become more important than actual learning. Students memorize information to pass exams and quickly forget it afterwards. The skills that matter in the real world, creativity, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability are often ignored. Schools rarely prepare young people for life outside the classroom. For example, many students graduate without basic financial skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, or technical know-how that can help them survive in today’s world.
This is why the call for a new kind of education is important. We need an educational system that is not just about producing workers but about producing problem solvers. Schools should give students the freedom to explore their interests and build skills that will help society grow. Instead of only focusing on exams, schools should encourage innovation, critical thinking, and real-life applications of knowledge.
In truth, school is not bad. It is still the foundation on which children build their futures. But there is a need for reform. Education should be designed to solve real problems in our communities, not just to pass students through a grading machine. If schools can balance discipline with freedom and knowledge with skills, then education will no longer feel like a prison. Instead, it will be a tool that unlocks the potential of every child and provides lasting solutions for society.