If the goal of learning remains the acquisition of skills for survival, it then calls to question the authenticity of pedagogy as an indispensable instrument of learning in the formal school system as it obtains in contemporary times in Africa and beyond.

In times past, there were experts in engineering, architecture, arts and medical sciences who did not go through the structured system of broad-based curricula narrowing into specializations as witnessed in current educational systems. A vivid example is the Egyptian pyramids as well as great artworks (Lamidi Fakeye’s works, Benin bronze, Ife sculpture); Baba Sala and Hubert Ogunde in theatre; and herbal medicine and surgery all over Africa. Worthy of note is the Alagbede, roughly translated as blacksmith, among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria and Republic of Benin. During the rigorous apprenticeship period, a student is produced, who is able to learn the combination of seismology, minerology, physics, smeltery and art, and is also able to test soil from which he extracts minerals to produce tools, implements and utensils. In Africa, family and lineage occupations and vocations were common. Children were born into them, tutored smoothly through childhood, adolescence into adulthood. In recent times, structured pedagogy is impeding the realization of most young persons’ careers as shown in their talents in earlier years. In addition, parents also contribute to manipulating the careers of their children to professions in vogue or endearing to them, leading to frustrations in magnitude capable of catapulting to distress. In the end, the continent is deprived of experts and technocrats who should contribute to her development.  

This workshop seeks to interrogate learning, focusing on Health, Theatre Arts and Business, informally and in formal school system with a view to producing a blend, through integration, which may balance talents, professions and abilities. In reflexivity lies the casting of critical look on the contemporary learning system toward arriving at a more efficient, purposeful and sustainable learning structure. Multiplicity in respect of sources of learning will be examined. Findings from the workshop would be related to other disciplines and to other African nations. 

Discussion will centre around the following questions:

• What is the essence of learning?
• What is the place of apprenticeship in learning delivery?
• How does stricture of pedagogy impede creative thinking and encourage mental distress?
• How do subject-based curricula limit the delivery of learning?
• How effective is the formal and regulated school system in preparing persons for survival?
• What are the other sources of learning beyond pedagogy?

Speakers will be drawn from the academia (varied specializations and disciplines), government and vocational centres.

Expected outcomes:

1. Findings from the workshop will be the basis for producing a book of readings on contemporary and indigenous learning systems.
2. A long-term benefit of the findings from this workshop is the development of a research proposal for the designing of unified curricula reflecting a blend of pedagogy and skill-based learning.

Target audience

Lagos ACC Principal Investigators, students and scholars in all the 12 faculties at the University of Lagos. In specific terms, 2 undergraduate students and 2 lectures from each faculty, 1 staff member from Academic Planning Unit and 1 from ARUA Centre of Excellence on Unemployment and Skills Development of University of Lagos.

Mode of Workshop

Mixed – (Physical and virtual): Resource persons and invited guest would physically be available while participants are expected to be virtually present. Data for virtual participation will be provided for all participants.

Duration: Four (4) days

1^st day:  Opening, Keynote and Lead Presentation – 10am to 1pm;

2^nd day: First Panel Session- 10am to   1pm.

3^rd day: Second Panel Session – 10am to 1pm

4^th day:  Third Panel Session – 10am to 1pm

Proposed dates: Monday 24^th – 27^th August, 2020

Day 1 – 24/08/2020

Opening

Keynote Lecture –     Prof. J.C. Agbakoba (Professor of Philosophy, University of Nigeria Nsukka)

                                           (Virtual Presentation)

Lead Presentation –   Rose Korir, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Educational Psychology;

                                        Director, Institute of Open & Distant Learning, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.

                                          (Virtual Presentation)

Technical Personnel – Dr. Dada Shonibare – Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDEC)

Day 2 – 25/08/2020

1^st Session –                 Business: Learning Structure and Methodologies

Facilitators –                Dr. Bola Dixon-Ogbechi – Associate Professor, Dept. of Business Administration, University of Lagos

                                      Chief Mmadubuachi Osele, Business Practitioner

 Day 3 – 26/08/2020

2^nd Session-                 Health: Learning Structure and Methodologies

Facilitators-                 Prof. Abraham Osinubi – Professor of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos

                                      Onisegun YSO Akande – Herbal Medical Practitioner

Day 4 – 27/08/2020

3^rd Session-                 Theatre Arts: Learning Structure and Methodologies

Facilitators-                 Dr. Adebisi Ademakinwa – Associate Professor, Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos

                                       Mr. Funsho Adeolu  – Theatre Practitioner