HARNESSING BIBLICAL INJUNCTION IN PROVERBS 22:6 TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRIMARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Education played a crucial role in human development and societal progress. Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (KJV), highlighting the necessity of early childhood and primary education as the foundation for lifelong learning and ethical development. This study employed a qualitative research design to explore the biblical interpretation of Proverbs 22:6 and its implications for developing a sustainable early childhood and primary education system in Nigeria. It relied on secondary sources of data, including biblical texts, scholarly articles, and educational reports, to analyze the intersection of faith-based education and sustainable development. The study examined biblical principles of child training, the ethical significance of early education, and the role of parents, schools, and religious institutions in shaping a biblical-based educational framework. Additionally, it investigated challenges confronting Nigeria’s educational system, such as inadequate infrastructure, poor funding, and declining moral values, while proposing biblical and ethical solutions. The findings revealed that integrating biblical values into early education promoted moral integrity, societal stability, and national development. The study concluded by recommending policy reforms, community involvement, and faith-based educational initiatives to foster a biblically grounded and sustainable education system in Nigeria.