Youth Champion Speaks On Transforming Literary Learning Spaces

Ruth Ogwuche (nee Ngoka) is a social change agent, a Speak Up Stand Out(SUSO) education activist, a youth development advocate, and a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

In this interview, Uchenna Imo spoke with Ruth to discuss how she is localizing the sustainable goals in her community in Enugu by advocating for quality education for all. She also discussed how her work is bridging the gap in literacy, especially in the area of transformative education.

Please tell us briefly why you applied for the Speak Out Stand Out (SUSO) Project (read more about the SUSO project), specifically in the thematic education area.

My passion for social change, youth development, and national transformation motivated and inspired my application to join the SUSO program. I am passionate about quality education in Nigeria; therefore, I saw the SUSO program as an opportunity to express my vision and passion for advancing the frontiers of education in Nigeria. The culture of academic excellence is fast being eroded in our society. Many youths are no longer interested in studying but rather prefer examination malpractice. All these challenges causing festers in our educational system burden my heart and form the crux of my passion even before being selected to join the SUSO Program.

What results from the activities in your project have shown to bridge the gap in literacy, especially in the area of transformative education?

Results from the activities in my project are fostering transformative education. I believe transformative education should bring your beneficiaries to a point where you leave them empowered, making them view the world differently. So far, the reading clubs we have established in sensitized secondary within the Nsukka community are helping shape the reading culture of these students. The instructional materials we donated to these schools are aiding the process of learning and improving literacy. Also, our sensitization and capacity-building workshops have inculcated values in our beneficiaries, helping them challenge and change the status quo concerning examination malpractice and developing a passion for academic excellence. Through our radio program on Lion FM, Nsukka, we have spurred the general public (parents, government, teachers, students, school owners, etc.) towards supporting quality education and celebrating academic excellence. All these lend a voice to transformative education.

How does your SUSO project speak to the theme of this year’s World Literacy Day: Transforming Literary Learning Spaces?

My SUSO project hinges on reigniting the passion for academic excellence in selected secondary schools within the Nsukka community, Enugu State. It bears in mind the importance of literacy for everyone, which fuels our passion for creating a more literate society. Our project speaks to the theme of this year’s World Literacy Day: Transforming Literary Learning Spaces in various ways.

Firstly, it is gender inclusive, and its geographic location is within the rural community of Nsukka, where students and schools can benefit from our project. Also, by donating instructional materials to schools, the literacy rate of over 2,000 students has increased, and learning outcomes have improved. Transforming literacy learning spaces rests on everyone; therefore, my advocates and I are working together to ensure our audience is equipped with the necessary values to compete with their counterparts. Most importantly, school stakeholders have been influenced to set up a more student-friendly and well-functioning environment for learning.

What picture can you create If you were to describe a world void of literacy barriers?

Literacy barriers have a substantial negative impact on education. However, a world void of literacy barriers will be a world where equitable learning is encouraged, a place where people will have the desire to learn, and there will be access to adequate materials for learning. Here, the curriculum will mold and shape students bringing out the best in them. It would be a world where high-quality and inclusive learning will thrive, and young Nigerians will reignite their passion for academic excellence!