Last Sunday, preacher Monica Monge delivered a stirring sermon that forced us to rethink our understanding of education—not just as an academic exercise but as a community tool for transformation, dignity, and nation-building. Drawing from African traditions, her travels abroad, and her experiences in the classroom, she made a compelling case for why our future lies in reconnecting with the foundational values of learning.
History Proves It’s Possible
“Because it happened in the past, it can happen again,” Monica reminded us. Across Africa’s history, education was never confined to classrooms. It was lived, shared, and practiced. It was a spiritual, ethical, and communal process. Families, elders, and communities were involved in raising a child—not just intellectually but morally and practically.
From Karamoja to Kampala: The Practical Gap
She shared the example of a 12-year-old girl in Karamoja, equipped to take care of an entire household—cooking, cleaning, managing responsibilities. In contrast, many young people today reach the age of 30 without knowing how to live independently.
“Our ancestors taught children intentionally, giving them practical skills to face life confidently,” she said.
This isn’t just a nostalgic comparison—it exposes a serious shortfall in modern education systems that prioritize test results over life readiness.
Knowledge Without Transformation
Monica emphasized a crucial distinction:
“There is a difference between knowing and understanding. Knowing alone does not transform.”
Graduates are emerging from schools unable to solve real problems. They may pass exams but struggle with decision-making, leadership, and community responsibility. Our current system values credentials more than competence.
Finland: A Nation That Decided to Transform Through Education
Monica’s sermon became even more impactful when she recounted her visit to Finland, one of the highest-ranking countries globally in education quality. She shared what Finnish educators told her:
“When Finland decided to become rich, they changed their education system.”
That decision transformed the nation. Today, Finland consistently ranks among the top countries in global education indices—often in the top 5 for literacy, teacher quality, and student wellbeing. Their approach emphasizes equity, creativity, and critical thinking. Teachers are highly trained, well-paid, and deeply respected—echoing how African communities once honored educators.
Finland’s success proves that national transformation begins in the classroom. If Africa is to rise, education must once again become a national strategy, not just a policy.
Progressive Methods with African Roots
Drawing from my experience with progressive education models at Harvard, I see strong parallels with Africa’s own heritage. Project-based learning, collaborative problem-solving, ethical inquiry, and social-emotional learning—these are hailed as modern innovations but have deep roots in our traditional models.
We taught children through storytelling, apprenticeship, and ritual. Education wasn’t just about information—it was about identity, responsibility, and community.
Restoring Character and Ethics in Learning
“It is useless for you to know how to do things if you don’t have the character to sustain what you do.”
This warning hits hard. Many of our current challenges—corruption, social fragmentation, poor leadership—stem from an education system that neglected character development. Ethics is not a subject to be added. It must be the foundation.
Reclaiming Our Role as Stakeholders
Education is too important to be left to governments alone. Monica challenged us all:
“If we decide to be stakeholders, we can influence what happens in our education system.”
Parents, teachers, community leaders—we all have a role to play in reshaping the values and methods of education. We must stop outsourcing our children’s futures and begin building learning environments that serve both head and heart.
A Call to Rebuild Our Future
What Monica Monge offered was more than a sermon—it was a blueprint for transformation. Through the wisdom of our past, the evidence from global examples like Finland, and the guidance of progressive education, we can redefine what it means to truly educate.
Let us teach our children not only how to pass exams, but how to live with purpose, lead with integrity, and serve with compassion.
Africa’s future lies not in copying others blindly—but in reclaiming our roots, refining our systems, and reimagining our classrooms.
The time is now.