Project Abstract

Abstract
Unemployment remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with a large portion of the population struggling to secure stable employment. This research project explores the potential of critical, creative, and caring thinking as a solution to address unemployment in the country. By integrating these three thinking approaches into educational and professional development programs, individuals can enhance their problem-solving skills, creativity, and empathy, which are essential qualities for navigating the complex job market. Critical thinking involves the ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and make informed decisions. By fostering critical thinking skills through educational initiatives and training programs, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of various issues and improve their decision-making abilities. This can help them adapt to changing job market demands and identify new opportunities for employment. Creative thinking plays a crucial role in generating innovative solutions to problems and adapting to new challenges. By encouraging individuals to think outside the box, explore unconventional ideas, and experiment with different approaches, creative thinking can inspire entrepreneurship and stimulate economic growth. Embracing creativity can empower individuals to create their job opportunities, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, and contribute to job creation in the economy. Caring thinking emphasizes empathy, compassion, and ethical decision-making. In the context of unemployment, caring thinking can foster a supportive and inclusive community where individuals look out for one another, offer assistance, and collaborate to address common challenges. By promoting caring thinking in educational settings and workplace environments, individuals can cultivate stronger interpersonal relationships, build social networks, and access valuable support systems that can enhance their employability. Integrating critical, creative, and caring thinking into educational curricula, vocational training programs, and professional development initiatives can equip individuals with a versatile skill set that is highly valued in the job market. Employers seek candidates who can think critically, innovate, collaborate effectively, and demonstrate empathy towards colleagues and clients. By nurturing these thinking skills, individuals can enhance their competitiveness, adaptability, and resilience in the face of unemployment challenges, ultimately increasing their chances of securing meaningful employment opportunities and contributing to the economic development of Nigeria.

Project Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 THE BACKGROUND

There is no doubt that the type of education bequeathed to us in Nigeria by our Colonial Masters is devoid of reasoning. From the first Education Ordinance issued by the privy in England to our much cherished national policy on education of 1981 (reversed 1998), the whole idea and aims have been a process of remediation instead of redesign – a camouflage, a cosmetic extrapolation. The British came and faulted every aspect of our life including our system of education only to replace it with their own, with their idea, based on the problems they have at home without taking our own indigenous problems into consideration. Any policy which did not lend support to the achievement of their national goal was jettisoned, repudiated and regarded as a taboo. This is what we saw in our religion, our socio-cultural life, political life, economic life and our education.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nigeria needs to critical and creative thinking in order to achieve a common goal. There are still many national goals yet to be achieved such as good education and better future for our children, infrastructure in both rural and urban areas, steady power supply, food industry and adequate transportation and it is mainly by coming together, promoting unity in diversity that we can achieve what we want.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study seeks to look into exposing critical, creative and caring thinking as the solution to unemployment in Nigeria.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is important because it will help to enlighten our educational administrators and curriculum planners, parents and teachers on the right approach in relating with young people and also on the right dimension to follow in order to solve the existing problems in Nigerian educational system.

1.5 TARGET AUDIENCE

The study is meant for

1) The students teachers

2) The teacher educators

3) The curriculum planners

4) The educational administrators

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) In what ways can we implant the spirit of caring, belongingness, cooperation and collaboration among students in classroom activities?

2) Is CACT a solution to unemployment and poverty in Nigeria?

3) Can the CACT help in building a vibrant economy?

4) Can the principles of CACT improve student’s effectiveness?

5) To what extent can CACT values help to improve youth’s behavior in our society?