Stakeholders in Nigeria’s schooling sector have suggested the newly appointed Minister of Schooling, Dr Olatunji Alausa, to prioritise the effectiveness of the fundamental schooling curriculum and collaborate intently with State Commissioners of Schooling and businesses throughout the nation.
On October 23, 2024, President Tinubu appointed Dr Olatunji Alausa as the brand new Minister of Schooling, redeploying him to the place and changing Prof. Tahir Mamman, one of many 5 ministers dismissed by the president.
In an interview with The PUNCH, the Nationwide President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Faculties, Mr Musa Ibrahim, emphasised the necessity for a complete evaluation of the curriculum.
He known as for an modern method that was past theoretical studying, encouraging extra hands-on, sensible experiences for college kids.
“The curriculum ought to be designed in a manner that allows learners to have interaction in sensible actions, fostering talent improvement alongside educational information.
“What we count on from the brand new Minister of Schooling is for him to collaborate with the state ministries of schooling consistent with his mandate. They need to use this time to revisit the nationwide curriculum and make it simpler, because it ought to present kids with alternatives to have interaction in hands-on studying. Our curriculum is just too targeted on idea; we have to have a look at how different developed nations construction theirs. We must also organise a curriculum convention, the place consultants from universities and different educators can come collectively to evaluation and replace the curriculum. If he can do that inside his tenure, will probably be an incredible achievement.”
Additionally talking, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, Nationwide President of the Nigeria Union of Academics counselled the brand new Minister of Schooling to collaborate extra intently with State Commissioners of Schooling and all related businesses throughout the Ministry of Schooling.
Ike-Ene known as for the implementation of the correct insurance policies on the proper time and in the correct locations.
“We have to be sure that the correct insurance policies are put in place on the proper time and in the correct locations. “This consists of consulting with key stakeholders, academics being an important a part of that group. We’ve noticed that schooling managers usually fail to seek the advice of broadly or contain stakeholders earlier than making vital choices,” he mentioned.
He additional confused the significance of synergy between the Federal Ministry of Schooling and State Schooling Commissioners, noting that in some states, academic initiatives and reforms weren’t being successfully applied. Ike-Ene defined, “There must be stronger collaboration between the federal minister and state commissioners of schooling.
“Whenever you go to sure states, it turns into clear that little is being performed by way of academic progress. The synergy have to be there; the states have to be actively engaged to make sure they’re doing the correct factor, particularly in terms of the welfare of the employees within the system.”
In a congratulatory message to Alausa, signed by the nationwide president, Nationwide Affiliation of Proprietors of Non-public Faculties, Mr Yomi Odubela, anticipated a proactive method in revisiting and enhancing the nationwide curriculum to make it extra related to at present’s world financial system.
“We advocate for a curriculum that emphasises crucial pondering, vocational expertise, and digital literacy to arrange college students for dynamic profession alternatives. Incorporating skill-based studying, with a concentrate on sensible functions, will empower Nigerian youth for self-sufficiency and financial contribution.”
NAPPS additionally sought coverage assist for personal and public establishments, addressing out-of-school kids and strengthening instructor coaching {and professional} improvement.
“Inclusive insurance policies that recognise the complementary function of personal establishments in schooling are important. NAPPS encourages the Honourable Minister to make sure truthful rules, funding alternatives, and incentives for personal faculties that meet high quality requirements. We additionally search partnerships between personal and public establishments for information sharing and capability constructing to strengthen Nigeria’s total schooling sector.
“The problem of out-of-school kids is one in every of Nigeria’s most urgent academic challenges.
NAPPS urged the Minister to prioritise initiatives that may make schooling accessible to each little one, no matter background.
“We suggest collaborations with community-based organisations, incentives for low-cost personal faculties in underserved areas, and assist for various academic pathways to assist tackle this difficulty. NAPPS Nigeria has been concerned in absorbing a few of these kids in our faculties by means of numerous scholarship grants to assist the schooling of those kids, and we’re able to do extra to soak up them,” he mentioned.