THE PRIORITY OF AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS: EDUCATIONAL INCLUSION OR TECHNOLOGICAL EXPANSION? TECHNOLOGICAL EXPANSION
Delivered at the Quarter-Finals, Hall Category, Jaw War 2018
Ladies and gentlemen, inasmuch as we might praise the noble intentions of our noble men, we should not forget that it is possible for one to have noble intentions yet make a bad decision. They come here today advocating educational inclusion as the priority of African governments whereas technological expansion is the foundation upon which education stands. This is like putting Bello before Sultan and War before Jaw, it makes no sense in a rational society. I am here to reiterate that technological expansion should be the priority of African governments.
First, according to John Locke, an English political philosopher, the purpose of any government is to protect the natural rights of its citizens. Thomas Jefferson reiterated this when he said the government exists to enable citizens to live in safety and happiness. The question then is this; which helps the African government achieve its purpose of protecting the people and ensuring her citizens live in safety and happiness? Educational inclusion or technological expansion? According to an IAC report released in 2012 titled the role of government and the contribution of science and technology, it was stated that technology has an indispensable role to play in helping the government govern the people. And in Africa, according to Demitu Hambissa, former Ethiopian minister of women and children affairs in a keynote address at the 2014 African economic conference. She said Africa needs to expand its technology in order to provide effective public services. So we can see that for the African government to fulfil the purpose for which it was established, technological expansion should be the priority.
Second, one thing my opponent might state today is the inclusion of educational inclusion in the 17 Sustainable development goals of the United Nations. True. But what they ignore is that the United Nations goals are a call to end poverty, bring peace and prosperity. Again we ask, which helps the United Nations achieve these goals? Educational inclusion or technological expansion? According to the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, progress in science and technology is the key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Ladies and gentlemen, the key. Even if the goal is to end poverty, tech is the key. Even if the goal is peace, tech is the key. Even if prosperity is the goal, tech is key. Ladies and gentlemen, even if educational inclusion is the goal, tech is the key.
Furthermore, the problem with my opponents’ stance is not that it is wrong in itself, but as long as priority is the question, our stance remains the priority. Because while technological expansion expands to cover all, educational inclusion includes only those willing to learn. So if they argue on how educational inclusion affords education for all, please ask them how their gospel of educational inclusion includes the working class, the aged, the homeless, the sick and the dying. But technological expansion provides suitable working conditions for the working class, it helps the aged, houses the homeless, provides healthcare service to the sick and promises cure for the dying.
Finally, we are not concluding that educational inclusion should not be considered by the African government. What we are saying is that before educational inclusion can come into place, technological expansion should be in place for without technological expansion, educational inclusion cannot bring an everlasting solution.
