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By Charles Onunaiju

The Communist Party of China, (CPC) founded in July 1921 is just some months away to its centenary anniversary. A party founded against the backdrop of what the Chinese, called “century of humiliation” in reference to the 19th century when the country was overrun by foreign powers including the seizure of Hong Kong, and Macao by the British and Portuguese imperialist powers respectively. Despite the collapse of the imperial dynasty in 1911 that has ruled China for thousands of years, and the establishment of republic, the problems of the country remained. The outcome of the 1911 revolution that swept away the last Qing dynasty was quickly grabbed by warlords who continued to ally with foreign powers.

The decisive moment of national awakening actually came with the May 4th movement, when national grief turned into defiance following the failure of the victorious imperialist powers conference in Paris to restore some of China’s national treasures, rather the conference carved up the country into spheres of influence of imperialist powers. The failure of the Paris peace conference to ameliorate China’s national condition provided the historical catalyst for anti-imperialist resistance.

With the echoes of the victory of the Russian Bolshevik revolution in 1917 and the lively debate among the Chinese intelligentsia on the theory of Marxism-Leninism and its fitness to drive sustainable struggle for national independence and peoples liberation, the founding of the Communist Party of China was both epochal and game-changer in the trajectories of China’s national destiny previously hobbled by the strangle-hood of feudalist rule and imperialist oppression.

Through a relentless revolutionary struggle guided by the scientific theory of Marxism-Leninism, the Communist Party forged a patriotic united front of all Chinese patriots across all social strata and ethnic groups to found and establish the People’s Republic of China in 1949, bringing to an end, both century of national humiliation and the turmoil of warlord rule and ineffectual bureaucratic capitalism.

The challenge of construction, stability and modernization of the New China became the crucial and vital endeavour, of the Chinese people of all walks and different political persuasion under the leadership of the Communist Party. The historical choice of the Communist Party by the Chinese people as the core of their national leadership in a broad coalition of the patriotic alliance of people of all walks of life, helped to galvanize unity of purpose, distilled national priorities, and sharpened focus on critical variable, necessary to drive modernization on a sustainable basis.

However, the turning point in the national construction effort of modern China came in the last month of 1978 at the 3rd plenary session of the 11th central Committee of the Communist Party of China, when it adopted economic construction as the main focus of the work of the party and the government.

The main content of this decision was reform and opening up to the outside world.

This decisive moment in the history of the party and the country, aroused a nationwide enthusiasm, cementing the reputation of the CPC not only as a party with dignified historical past but one that is engaged to the present and focus to the future. Re-affirming its Marxist-Leninist theoretical foundation, the party proclaimed that its insight that have guided its trajectories through revolution, reconstruction and reform were gained from its fidelity to Marxist-Leninist theory of scientific socialism. The party made bold to say that Marxist-Leninist theory enabled it to gain a realistic insight into China’s unique national and historical condition and that its construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics which is the theoretical rationale for its reform and opening up, correspond to the country’s existential reality and the trend of the time.

The outcome of this rigorous and exerting process of “seeking truth from facts” was the awe-inspiring comprehensive growth of China national aggregates that most of the world have come to know and even describe as “Chinese miracle,” which was actually not a miracle but an outcome of a party touch with the people and more importantly in touch with reality, which it constantly evaluates in the light of new conditions and circumstances.

As 1978 was epochal and pivotal in the history of the party and the country, the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012 was a vital historical turning point. The election of Xi Jinping as the General Secretary and subsequently elected to the presidency of the country in March, 2013 brought new confidence and renewed vigour in the party. Soon after, Xi Jinping took over as the General Secretary, the Central Work of the Party and government became the elimination and eradication of absolute poverty that have ravaged the country for millennia, for which the party reform and opening up since 1978 has considerably reduced. In eight years and just in time, before the 100 anniversary of the party, nearly 100 million Chinese were relieved of absolute poverty, leading the country to its current stage of moderate prosperity in all respects for all Chinese people.

In engaging the new realities and the extant and current national condition, the party following its tradition of developing a theoretical guide to its work has in its collective wisdom made a key breakthrough. The “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” represent the party theoretical innovation and a national rallying point to drive deeper the reforms in the ceaseless effort at modernization and rejuvenation.

The “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era” is the profound outcome of toil and exertion of the party.

Already, the Communist Party of China has articulated critical and important initiatives for inclusive and participatory global governance, providing important inputs to consolidate the emerging international order of multilateralism and the centrality of the United Nations system in international affairs. Through the contribution of the Belt and Road initiative, a global framework of cooperation featuring infrastructure connectivity and people to people contacts, the party and the Chinese people has opened a new vista of opportunity to construct a community of shared future for all humanity.

The visible and enigmatic profile of the contemporary China-Africa cooperation was the culmination of the steady vision of the party, since the founding of modern China in 1949, that the country and Africa are bound by the pains and grief of common victimization by imperialist domination and brutal colonial exploitation and are destined to work together to achieve economic self-reliance and prosperity for their respective peoples.

In a hundred years, the Communist Party of China has gained considerable experience in solving practical problems and more importantly, has put this experience in the world public domain through cooperation with several political parties especially in the developing countries including Africa.

It is therefore hoped, that many political parties in Africa would soberly engage the experience of the CPC and draw important lessons to improve their capacities and capabilities in seeking solutions to the challenge of unlocking their respective national potentials and improving the qualities of life of their respective peoples.

• Onunaiju is of Centre for China Studies, Abuja.

By Sampson Unamka

Former Director, National Mathematical Centre, Prof. Adewale Solarin has said the Abacus system of mental calculation will soon be introduced into the primary and secondary school curriculum pretty soon.

The Professor of Mathematics and Head, Education and ICT Directorate, Growth and Development Foundation (GDF), made this known last week during the closing ceremony for the two-hands system of Abacus Mental Arithmetic Training for secondary school teachers training in Remoland, Ogun state.

With its theme: Advancing the Education Landscape in Remoland, the event was organised by the Remo Growth and Development Foundation(GDF), in partnership with the International Academy for the Gifted Programs(IAGIFTED).

On the reason for introducing the Abacus system of mental calculation, Solarin said: “Actually, the origin of this in Nigeria or Africa dated to about 10 years ago or a little earlier, when the Chief Executive of the National mathematical center then, Professor Sam Allen; having seen the importance of this, invited some Asians to train some students and teachers at the centre. At that time I was the trainer of the Nigerian team for the international maths Olympia.

“When we went for the Olympia, for two three years, I observed that the Asians were always leading, getting gold medals. They cleared all the gold medals.

“Then I did a further investigation and found out that that mental arithmetic they used during the competition, they started from age five and running through the basic education to age 15 and that’s why when I became the chief executive, I decided to train and develop the concept of the Nigerian version. So, everything you are seeing here is totally Nigerian except the Abacus.

And what these trainers achieve in two weeks is more than what the original trainers achieved in four weeks. In fact, when we gave them reports of this, they couldn’t believe it because they wanted us to have a franchise so that all the materials will be coming from them. We said no, because if we were to go with that, actually public school children would have not been able to be part of this. Only private schools would have been able to afford it. So, that’s why we developed the Nigerian concept and it’s fantastic.”

On how to get the Abacus he noted that the previous ones used had been imported adding that making it here in Nigeria would not be difficult for plastics companies in the country.

Continuing on the history of Abacus in Nigeria, he said “It started about ten years ago in Nigeria and since then we have been developing it. When I was Chief Executive of the National mathematical center, we actually ran this program in most of the states and right now I think National mathematical center, currently the Chief Executive is still pushing it further and now it is going into the curriculum so you would soon see it as part of the curriculum for mathematics from primary school to secondary schools all over Nigeria”, said Professor Solarin.

In the same vein, National Coordinator IAGIFTED, Oyebola Fabowale, lauded the initiative and the two weeks training program, he said “Over the years we have been having something like this. This two-week program is designed to bring up to speed these children when it comes to this mental arithmetic thing, just like if you have a recap to the olden days where you have this arithmetic multiplication table once you are asked a question you are asked to respond immediately”.

On the relevance of Abacus in the current educational curriculum, Fabowale said “It is relevant, relevance in the sense that it energizes the inner mind, the brain, the mental alertness is there then secondly, the children that tend to be docile, the seemingly lethargic ones you know they get themselves tuned to apt responses.”

A new governing council has been inaugurated for Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State to steer the affairs of the institution for next five years (2020-2025).

The new Council is headed by the President of the Northern Region Conference of the Seventh Adventist Church, Pastor Yohanna Harry.

The inauguration, which took place at the institution, was performed by the Chancellor of the University and President of the West African Central Division of the church, Pastor Elie Weick-Dido.

The Chancellor advised members of the Council to discharge their functions effectively with passion and dedication to the service of God and humanity.

He noted that at a time such as this, every institution requires the best practices to excel and drastically stave off competition.

‘“With about 197 universities in Nigeria, Babcock University requires your best input to continue to raise the bar of learning and training for maximum global impact.”

In his acceptance speech, Pastor Harry said the Council would exercise its primary responsibility in the overall interest of all and sundry with let or hindrance. He added it would continue to determine the educational character and academic direction and integrity of the University to ensure that students of the institution have a high quality learning experience leading to academic awards which are subject to the application of appropriate academic standards.

Also speaking, Prof. Tayo noted that he would, with the support of the governing council work to implement and fulfill the mission and strategic aims of the University, the Corporate Plan and the key indicators of University performance. He added that he would ensure that the University is financially sustainable and is using its resources  judiciously in the overall interest of its students and stakeholders.

Other members of the Governing Council at the inauguration were the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ademola Tayo; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Philemon Amanze; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, Prof. Yacob Haliso; Vice President, Financial Administration, Dr. Ilesanmi Akande; Vice President, Student Development, Dr. Sunday Audu; former 32nd President, General Conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Emeritus Professor Michael Omolewa; Abia State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kanelechi C. K. Nwangwa and Elder Markus Dangana.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

With two to three pupils in any given class having learning disabilities, Head of Lakefield School, Badore, Ajah, Lagos, Mrs. Kemi Hamilton has said all teachers need to screen pupils for learning disabilities to ensure children get the support they need.

This system is in place at Lakefield School, which opened its doors to pupils for the first time last October, while the COVID-19 pandemic raged. And Mrs. Hamilton said it should be the norm in both public and private schools across the nation.

In an interview at the school, Mrs. Hamilton said: “Every teacher must know that one or two of their children would have learning difficulties. Once a teacher, as a professional, can identify that he might not be able help that child, we have special needs teachers who are trained to teach those kids.  But the main thing is for every teacher to be able to identify rather than write them off.

“Every school either public or private must make sure they train their teachers to the level they can identify that ‘this child needs help in this area’. Once you can identify, the school can now decide can we cope? Can we help this child? There are still some learning difficulties that we cannot handle – when we talk about autism or Down syndrome – but there are some that we can handle as an institution.  But everything starts from being able to identify it.”

Mrs. Hamilton said with the philosophy that every child can learn once teachers know how to get through to them, Lakefield School prioritises teacher training so they can reach every child at their level and bring them up to the required standard.

Drawing from this, in admitting new pupils, the head of school said Lakefield School does not turn away children that may not meet its benchmark but provides interventionist measure to bridge the gap.

As the school screens new pupils for its second session this week, this practice will still be in play.

Mrs. Hamilton said this policy does not diminish the high standard the school has set for children to achieve.  Considering that the pandemic seriously disrupted schooling last year, she said even the best children had to re-adjust to regular schooling again.

“In our school as much as we have our standard we still don’t write off children because every child can learn and every child matters.  Sometimes they have slow beginning but they pick up and knowing that most of them have been at home for almost one year so even a child that before the pandemic was actually a high flier most of them came back struggling, so all you need is a bit of patience, more work, extra project assignment to refresh their memory,” she said.

Mrs Hamilton said capacity building of teachers takes place fortnightly in the school. She added that once travel restrictions caused by the pandemic eases sufficiently, the teachers would also be able to get international training.

She said: “The teachers still go through their training every two weeks and calling up a professional to train your teachers you not just going to pay peanuts.

“We train our teachers both at home and abroad.  I believe that in another year most of my teachers will be out of country for their training so that we can combine experiences and learning methodology so that we can achieve our goal that our pupils must be able to compete globally when it comes to education.”

On how Lakefield School opened  for the first time in a pandemic-impacted year, Mrs. Hamilton said it was able to offer parents seeking value quality online education for free at a time many schools could not transit to e-learning.

She said the school started with free online classes until it opened for physical classes to 21 pupils on October 2. The population has since grown to almost 100.