Attitudinal and Behavioural Change program in the school curriculum
The launching of the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) program in the country was really in place and timely, especially the role it played during the 2012; general election fever. Despite some Sierra Leoneans may see it as a political program. However, whether it is or not, I think any honest patriotic and true nationalist Sierra Leonean will testify that President Ernest Bai Koroma’s initiative brainchild, ABC program in the country was very useful and powerful, particularly in terms of bringing Sierra Leoneans closer to each other because of their change of negative perception against one another and the country as a whole.
Therefore, the ABC program was one of the sources of our peaceful free and fair elections in the country in 2012. Particularly when the program had true patriotic and nationalist Sierra Leoneans that spent enough of their time and energy in going the length and breadth of the country preaching about the benefit of positive attitudes and behaviours. As a result of that many Sierra Leoneans changed their mindset for the peace and development of the country. The changed of attitudes and behaviours by Sierra Leoneans was seen through the peaceful elections voting that went on successfully without any serious problems.
Many of the country’s problems emanated from the negative attitudes and behaviours of some so-called Sierra Leoneans. Many of them are not seeing anything good in their country because of their negative perception about their motherland, especially those who are politically and regionally blind. Or those who are also tribal and political party colour bind. Some of them prefer to put their personal political and party interest first than the country’s peace, progress and development.
While others have no respect for their culture and language, for instance, they do not even want to identify themselves as Sierra Leoneans because they want to turn to white or other nationality whilst they cannot. They have the saying, “ah nor even lok lek Salone man or woman sef” (I don’t even look like a Sierra Leonean). Sometimes I normally ask them some questions; if you don’t look like a Sierra Leonean, what do you look like? Who are you? What is good, or so special to the nationality that you want to be, that is not in your culture or nationality? I asked them such questions because in my opinion, such statements are all part of being unpatriotic and unnationalistic and also lack of pride for who they are.
Some of them do not even want to speak their national language as compared to other nationals. Other nationalities have pride for their country’s culture and national languages, but not with some Sierra Leoneans. Such negative attitudes and behaviours held by many Sierra Leoneans against their country, to me are some of the stumbling block for the country’s peace and progress. Because when someone has respect, love and pride for his/her country’s culture and language, he/she will not even want to hear someone talking bad things against his/her country, neither the individual or group will like to be a source of their country’s peace, progress and development obstacle. But this is not the case with many Sierra Leoneans as I said before. For example many of them write fake stories or articles with fake by-lines defaming their fellow Sierra Leoneans and the country at the expense of the nation’s peace and development. Is that good attitude or behaviour?
Negative attitudes and behaviours are also the recipe for indiscipline and lawlessness in the country. When people have good attitudes and behaviours they are easier to obey laws or byelaws that will benefit them and the country than those without. Therefore to change such unpatriotic and unnationalistic negative attitudes and behaviours of some Sierra Leoneans, I would like to suggest that the ABC program be incorporated into the school teaching curriculum, in order to change the mindset of our young dynamic leaders of today and tomorrow. If the country is to build a very solid foundation for a new generation of patriotic and nationalist Sierra Leoneans that will put the interest of their country first than selves in anywhere they find themselves, including workplaces, abroad etc.
The young generation of Sierra Leoneans should be taught positive thinking, for example how to think good about their country. Especially about things that will bring benefit to the country and how to love one another and their country. They should also be taught the effect of negative attitudes and behaviours against their country. Such teaching should start right from elementary schools to high schools. Because according to our old people’s proverb, when the ground or clay is wet, it is very easy to mould in any shape or form than when it is dry. That is like when a child is young it is easier to teach good habits than when he or she is older. When they get to adult age they will find it very difficult to absorb good characters in their minds. Therefore, children are like computer language, gavage in, gavage out. You feed the computer with good data/information; it will definitely give you good result, vice, visa.
In view of that I would also like to suggest that some of the subjects, units or modules that should be included in the school teaching curriculum in connection with the change of negative attitudes and behaviours are the National Anthem and National Pledge. They should be taught their real practical meanings and how to uphold such meanings throughout their lifetime. Not by singing them only, but their practical applications towards their country’s peace, unity, progress and development in their daily lives’ activities is more important in my view.
They should also be taught what corruption is and its effect in the country in terms of peace, social, political and the nation’s development, in order to shape their social and political human being moral attitudes and behaviours. The National Anthem and National Pledge should be prerequisites for first year university students. And if possible one or two of the national languages should also be included.
At the University of Ghana, their national or local languages, cultural dance and drama are compulsory subjects for all fist year students, whether you are a foreign student or not. You must choose one of them during your first year studies or else no graduation for you. And after graduation, national service is also a must, if not, no job for you in the country, especially in government service. Those are some of the cornerstones for patriotism and nationalism for one’s country according to Ghanaians principles. Although national service in Ghana is not compulsory for foreign students, but I did it at the Ministry of Information as Research Assistant to know more about Ghana’s civil service system.
Therefore, I also suggest that National Service be compulsory in Sierra Leone after graduation, especially for those on a Government scholarship. I think such steps are the basis for one to become more patriotic and nationalistic for his/her country. Citizens should endeavour to do some voluntary or partial voluntary service or job for their nation. In view of National Service to be more effective in the country, I would also like to suggest that Government should establish a National Service Scheme (GNSS) separately for the purpose of proper transparency and accountability, if that has not been done. When seeking for employment, you have to produce your National Service Certificate before being employed if there is available job that the individual is qualified for.
However, this should not mean the end of the ABC program. No, it should continue to do its good work in the country, especially because of some of the young people that are out of school and the elders or senior Sierra Leoneans. Since changes will not come over night. It’s a gradual process, especially for some of us who have been infested with the disease of bad attitudes and behaviours against our brothers, sisters and the country. Therefore, it should not be allowed to be seen as a politic entity. That is to say it will only be effective during elections periods. As such it should continue to go all over the country to spread the good news of patriotism and nationalism which are some of the main setbacks for our country’s progress and development for lacking them in our daily lives.
Therefore, I am appealing to President Koroma’s APC government and the international community to give more support to ABC program so that it will be more effective in executing its duties in the country. Since schools are about to re-open, this is a food for thought for the no-nonsense Minister of Education, Dr Minkarlu Bah and the general public.
Mind you Mr Minister, continue to be firm, because the schools, colleges and universities ghost teachers, lecturers and also teachers with fake certificates and lecturers with fake documents, them and their fathers, mothers, sisters, cousins, nieces or relatives and friends will not like to hear from you or see you in the ministry because you are putting sand, sand in their “garie”. (You are an obstacle to their nefarious corrupt activities). Salone man nor want posen wa discipline, den e-go hate you fo that.
By Tony Bee, Sydney, Australia
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