Schooling consultants within the nation are divided over the Federal Authorities’s proposal to shift from the previous 9-3-4 to 12-4 system.
Minister of Schooling, Dr. Tunji Alausa, on Thursday, made the proposal, in Abuja, on the 2025 Extraordinary Nationwide Council of Schooling assembly, the very best schooling policy-making physique in Nigeria.
The minister hinted that a few of the points influencing the convening of the extraordinary Nationwide Council of Schooling assembly embrace an introduction of a 12-year primary schooling system in Nigeria’s schooling framework and the approval of a nationwide coverage on bullying, amongst others.
He argued {that a} 12-year mannequin may also assure that college students obtain a extra complete and steady studying expertise. He mentioned this is able to enhance academic outcomes and contribute to a extra educated populace that drives Nigeria’s financial growth.
In an unique chat with prime schooling consultants, the transfer by the federal authorities to get rid of the current 9-3-4 system, which consists of 9 years of primary schooling, three years of senior secondary schooling, and 4 years of tertiary schooling, was described as a welcome growth whereas others believed it may spell doom for the nation’s academic system.
In response to Mrs Olufowowe, the retired principal of Irede Secondary Faculty, Ifako, Agege, Lagos State, the transfer to embrace the brand new system is a call too drastic, including that Nigeria just isn’t prepared to deal with the demand for a 12 straight years system of schooling.
”I believe Nigeria just isn’t prepared for that system in the mean time. The federal government remains to be grappling with instructor’s poor remuneration below the 9-3-4 and right here we’re proposing a straight 12 years in each main and secondary college. Most of our faculties are poorly funded. The brand new system won’t flourish till the federal government allocates the next price range for schooling,” she mentioned.
Mr Musbau Adewole, a former SUBEB director, hinted that whereas the thought is a welcome growth since change is fixed, the federal government ought to embrace vocational coaching and tech expertise quite than deploy its power in scrapping the 9-3-4 system.
“Our schooling system ought to give obligatory room for vocational coaching and tech expertise as a result of the world is altering and our academic system ought to be adjusted to suit into the brand new world. The issue is that we did not admit that Nigeria’s pre-colonial system of schooling is archaic. The longer term is tech. AI is taking up. Buying tech expertise ought to be a should in our academic system,” he mentioned.AYIAnother professional, who pleaded anonymity, berated the minister for mulling the thought, describing it as a ploy to waste the nation’s scarce sources at a time the residents are struggling to benefit from the primary wants of life.
“I disagree with the minister as a result of we shouldn’t be speaking about this within the first place. What number of of their youngsters are in faculties in Nigeria as we speak? A authorities that struggles to pay lecturers needn’t compound its issues. Keep on with the previous system and focus extra on offering the essential facilities that Nigerians want,” he mentioned.
“Consuming two sq. meals is a serious problem as we speak, but the federal government plans to extend electrical energy tariffs subsequent month. Altering the schooling system is rather like when the nationwide anthem was modified to the previous one.”
