GOOD INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPMENT!
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning (Proverbs 9:9)
In a community or society of people, one is likely to experience diversity in actions and reactions! We may experience diversity in human character demonstration; diversity in how people relate to each other; diversity in personal likes and dislikes; diversity in favorite foods of people and even diversity in culture. It is commonplace to see hotheads in slum areas in the world because of how systems run in these places. A story is told about a community where children are fond of stabbing people with knives and most of these children go unpunished because of the poor structures and setup in that community.
Access to right information is one of the vital tools for individual and community/society development. If a society is exposed to wrong information, elements of that society assimilate the wrong information and demonstrate it and in the end, that society lacks peace and tranquility. Good information for development is important.
In the scripture above, we are admonished to provide the ‘right’ information to people for growth and development of our society. Good information for development is necessary. A wise person is someone who has a personal relation with God. Jesus has become unto us wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). The kind of information we expose people to will ultimately make or unmake them in future. First and foremost, we need to expose people to the word of God. This is very fundamental for their physical and spiritual growth and development. God’s word reveals more about the nature of man and what man is capable of doing. The Bible also gives revelations about the world we live in therefore the need to study the Bible carefully. Secondly, natural science and social science has a stock of knowledge which is relevant in bringing about discoveries for societal development. Since children are future leaders, it is important to expose them to the sciences so that they can appreciate research and help to bring about discoveries through the use of science and research. Here, formal education becomes relevant for children because that is where they will get the opportunity to learn natural science and social science.
Society has to continue to motivate its elements to aspire higher in life and come up with more discoveries through mentorship, provision of quality advice to people, provision of scholarships to bright students and funding of research and development. Funding of research and development is relatively lacking in Africa and as a result, Africa is rated as the poorest continent of the world. The internet has become more relevant than ever in providing up to date information in any area of knowledge. Society has to make the internet accessible to people especially children. However, the content of what children read should be monitored so that they do not surf ‘irrelevant’ information. Children need good information for development .
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