In an period the place demand for expert labour is surging globally, many international locations are reimagining their academic curricula to make sure that college students are geared up with important Twenty first-century abilities. This strategy goals to domesticate self-reliant people who cannot solely thrive within the job market but in addition emerge as employers, thereby contributing to societal progress. Nonetheless, Nigeria faces important challenges in aligning its training system with up to date job market wants. Points akin to outdated curricula, insufficient services, and a staggering literacy charge of 59.57 per cent hinder the nation’s means to supply human capital well-prepared for the up to date workforce. With the latest announcement of latest vocational topics to be included into Nigeria’s fundamental training curriculum, the pressing want for efficient implementation turns into paramount, GBENGA SALAU studies.
The world over, international locations are upgrading their training curricula in addition to trainings with a view to align up to date workforce demand with human capital sources. However in Nigeria, apart the existence of big hole between the tutorial curriculum and job market calls for, most of the studying services – tangible and intangible – are outdated and bereft of newest mannequin.
And the consequence is that most of the establishments together with these at fundamental training degree produce workforce that’s poor in required abilities wanted within the up to date world.
The stark actuality, particularly on the fundamental training degree is that, regardless of studying and educating are principally aimed toward selling literacy and numeracy; many pupils on the completion of fundamental training can’t correctly learn and write.
The results of this foundational drawback is already telling on Nigeria as it’s ranked thirty fifth with 59.57 per cent literacy charge in Africa and 187th globally. Though, the Federal Authorities places the nationwide literacy charge at 69 per cent, whereas acknowledging large regional disparities among the many six geopolitical zones of the nation.
Nonetheless, some coverage makers have argued that Twenty first century studying and educating even on the fundamental training degree should look past simply literacy and numeracy.
Because of this some specialists argued that authorities and coverage makers ought to start to prioritise market-ready curriculum training even on the fundamental training degree, as that is crucial to constructing a resilient, expert workforce that may adapt to future challenges and drive sustainable growth.
It was, due to this fact, not stunning when the Federal Authorities, by means of the quick previous Minister of Schooling, Professor Tahir Mamman, just lately introduced the introduction of 15 new trades into the curriculum for fundamental training in Nigeria.
Mamman, who was among the many victims of final Wednesday’s cupboard reshuffle, revealed that the curriculum was permitted with a set timeline for implementation, alongside the Nationwide Expertise Framework, by the Nationwide Council on Schooling (NCE).
Talking on the brand new curriculum for fundamental training in Nigeria, State Coordinator, Civil Society Motion Coalition on Schooling For All (CSACEFA) Lagos Chapter, Stella Francis, famous that focus of the Nigerian Schooling Curriculum has been largely primarily based on teachers on the expense of vocational abilities.
“However, we should keep in mind that insurance policies appear to abound prior to now with the intention of together with abilities within the coaching of the Nigerian college students, particularly with the 6-3-3-4 training system however the implementation has at all times been the key issue on this laudable initiative.”
Francis, who can be the Govt Director of Glowing Splints Improvement Initiatives, acknowledged {that a} vocational skill-based curriculum equips college students with sensible, hands-on abilities which might be instantly relevant to industries like agriculture, manufacturing, IT, and crafts, and so forth, making them job market compliant.
She added that this strategy may assist scale back unemployment, particularly amongst youths, by making ready them for self-employment or jobs in sectors the place expert labour is in demand.
“Furthermore, by aligning training with business wants, a vocational curriculum may contribute to the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), that are essential for financial growth. College students who’re skilled in vocational abilities can both set up their very own companies or meet the wants of native industries, boosting financial productiveness.
“In a rustic like Nigeria, the place formal employment alternatives are restricted, fostering entrepreneurial mindsets by means of vocational training can create extra self-sufficient workforce and scale back dependency on authorities jobs.”
Additionally talking on the brand new curriculum, President of the Nationwide Affiliation of Proprietors of Personal Colleges (NAPPS), Chief Abayomi Otubela, acknowledged that the nation’s training system is witnessing a transformative shift with the introduction of a brand new curriculum for fundamental colleges.
“I imagine this curriculum goals to handle the hole between educational data and sensible abilities, empowering college students to thrive in a quickly altering world. I imagine this new curriculum seeks to realize the next: give attention to vocational abilities, lowering unemployment, enhancing nationwide growth, holistic pupil growth and making ready for world competitiveness.”
The previous minister whereas saying the brand new curriculum listed the brand new topics that will likely be included into studying for pupils to incorporate fundamental digital literacy of IT and Robotics; vocational and entrepreneurship research, or trades of constructing and development business that embrace plumbing, tiling, and flooring works, in addition to POP set up.
He acknowledged that within the space of hospitality and leisure, occasion ornament and administration, bakery and confectioneries, hairstyling, make-up, and inside design whereas within the providers sector, GSM repairs, satellite tv for pc or TV antenna set up, CCTV, intercom set up and upkeep, and photo voltaic set up and upkeep could be taught.
“We even have garment making and agriculture and processing, which incorporates crop manufacturing, beekeeping, horticulture, sheep and goat farming, in addition to poultry and rabbit farming,” the previous minister defined.
Talking on the array of latest topics being launched below the brand new curriculum, an educationist, Michael Omisore, mentioned that it’s laudable to incorporate and issue these technical, commerce and revolutionary abilities into the curriculum.
In accordance with him, it reveals the nation and its coverage makers are pondering of transferring from college students incomes simply grades to additionally being geared up with abilities. “That’s essential as a result of lengthy after they’re accomplished getting educational grades, they’ll nonetheless be utilizing the abilities they’ve developed.”
Omisore, nevertheless, noticed that the idea and philosophies across the new curriculum usually are not fully new concept as a result of the 6-3-3-4 academic system itself has these technical and commerce abilities embedded in it as topics.
“So, we could have to ask ourselves why we didn’t implement it with the 6-3-3-4 programme. Again then within the 80s, when the 6-3-3-4 was initiated, my set was the maiden set in junior secondary college in Oyo State that ought to have benefitted from the programme.
“We noticed gear for wooden work, metallic work and so forth delivered to the college, however all through the six years in secondary college, we by no means used these machines at some point. And so they had been by no means used even after, such an enormous funding taking place the drain, due to poor implementation. That’s the place the issue has at all times been with training on this nation, poor implementation.”
On his half, Otubela noticed that as Nigeria integrates into the worldwide economic system, having a workforce with numerous abilities is essential.
He added that the brand new curriculum aligns with world traits in training, the place vocational coaching is seen as a key consider lowering youth unemployment and fostering financial resilience.
“In my view, this shift within the curriculum is a step towards making a extra adaptable, expert, and unbiased era of Nigerians. By integrating vocational training with conventional teachers, the federal government is guaranteeing that college students are higher geared up for the challenges and alternatives of the long run.”
Whereas saying the brand new coverage path on fundamental training curriculum for the nation, Prof Mamman additionally mentioned the implementation of the brand new curriculum would begin in January 2025, because it goals to spice up the abilities and employability of graduates from major and junior secondary colleges.
He added that the federal government would use the subsequent three months to fine-tune the preparations to make sure that each non-public and public colleges totally implement the curriculum beginning in January subsequent 12 months. This contains the coaching of academics, the event of instructor guides, and enhancements to infrastructure, amongst different preparations.
Commenting on the timeline for the graduation of the brand new curriculum, Francis noticed that it might sound as if the Federal Authorities is speeding the implementation of this coverage with out making ample preparation for its implementation.
She mentioned: “As laudable as this coverage path may be with its optimistic implications for the economic system, there’s a want for the federal government to place correct buildings and methods in place for its implementation.”
She acknowledged that implementing vocational training requires substantial funding in infrastructure, gear, and coaching services, which are sometimes missing in Nigerian colleges.
“This might restrict the scope of vocational programmes. The Federal Authorities should make large funding in infrastructural growth, and gear in the event that they actually imply enterprise.”
Additionally talking on the beginning time for the brand new curriculum, Otubela famous that correct implementation requires a multifaceted strategy that features funding for infrastructure upgrades, instructor coaching, and the supply of studying supplies.
“To make sure success, the federal government should take lively steps within the months main as much as January 2025 to supply colleges, significantly in underserved areas, with ample sources.”
He argued that with out robust dedication in these areas, the implementation dangers being delayed or ineffective.
Equally, trying on the content material of the brand new curriculum for fundamental training and the part of technical training within the 6-3-3-4 system that was badly carried out, Francis mentioned that the Federal Authorities would wish to foster an inter-ministerial collaboration between the Ministry of Fundamental Schooling, Ministry of Ladies Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in addition to, within the case of Lagos State, the Ministry of Wealth Creation to successfully implement this curriculum in view of the truth that the present educating employees within the colleges could not have the requisite abilities set to implement this curriculum.
“The Federal Authorities may additionally have to collaborate with the non-public sector. Vocational training necessitates stronger partnerships between colleges and industries to make sure that college students achieve real-world expertise. Corporations can present internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job coaching, serving to college students transition easily from college to the workforce.
“A vocational skill-based curriculum has the potential to rework Nigeria’s training sector by addressing unemployment, fostering entrepreneurship, and selling financial development. Nonetheless, profitable implementation would require important funding, mindset shifts, and coverage reforms to beat present challenges,” Francis acknowledged.
Many have argued that the implementation of the 6-3-3-4 system was a failure, which is why the nation now even rely upon artisans from neighbouring international locations at development websites and in different related sectors.
Otubela mentioned the failure of 6-3-3-4 owed largely to poor implementation, insufficient funding, and inadequate instructor coaching.
“To stop related points with the brand new curriculum, authorities may contemplate phased implementation quite than a sudden nationwide rollout.”
He acknowledged {that a} phased strategy would enable for changes primarily based on suggestions from pilot programmes.
Otubela additionally confused the supply of ample infrastructure and sources. “The federal government should put money into upgrading services in colleges, particularly in rural and underfunded areas, to assist vocational topics.”
He additional advisable complete instructor coaching, as academics want sensible, hands-on coaching in vocational topics to make sure they’re able to delivering the brand new curriculum successfully.
“The federal government wants to ascertain a strong monitoring and analysis system that can assist monitor the progress of the curriculum and make essential changes to stop failure,” Otubela mentioned.
He added, “With out correct coaching, academics will likely be unable to ship the sensible elements of the curriculum successfully, making it extra theoretical than hands-on.
“Personal college homeowners, academics, and fogeys should be actively concerned within the planning and rollout of the curriculum. Lack of engagement could result in poor adaptation and gradual implementation.”
It’s worthy to notice that in most cities in Nigeria, non-public operators are main suppliers of fundamental training. As an illustration in Lagos State, there are over 18,000 major colleges with greater than 70 per cent of the faculties owned and managed by non-public operators. It is because there are solely 5622 public major and secondary colleges. Sarcastically, majority of the faculties by these non-public operators are unregistered colleges.
It was noticed that in a few of these unregistered colleges, the working setting shouldn’t be match for wholesome animals, but they’re getting used as colleges, whereas some others are mini-religious halls that lack fundamental security measures, together with home windows for correct air flow, not to mention having the services to accommodate the gear for the brand new curriculum.
Otubela insisted that non-public colleges have a crucial position in delivering fundamental training throughout Nigeria. “Nonetheless, many of those colleges are already grappling with financial challenges and excessive working prices. Sadly, there hasn’t been ample engagement with non-public college homeowners concerning the brand new curriculum and the monetary funding it requires.”
He due to this fact, instructed the federal government ought to contemplate providing grants or subsidies to non-public colleges to allow them to amass the gear and rent the extra employees wanted for vocational coaching.
“The federal government ought to collaborate with non-public organisations to assist ease the monetary burden on non-public colleges by offering gear and technical assist.
“The federal government can assist scale back prices for personal colleges by providing free or closely subsidised coaching for academics in vocational topics.”
With most of the colleges not having the gear to coach the pupils, will it not scale back the brand new curriculum to theoretical coaching, Otubela agreed, saying with out the required infrastructure and gear, the vocational facets of the brand new curriculum danger changing into purely theoretical.
“This may undermine the curriculum’s objective, which is to supply sensible abilities to college students. The federal government should be certain that public colleges and low-cost non-public colleges are geared up with the instruments, services, and educating aids required for hands-on studying.
“Moreover, shared vocational coaching hubs might be established in native communities the place a number of colleges can entry the gear and workshops essential for efficient coaching,” Otubela instructed.
On his half, Omisore famous that like the present training roadmap developed by the Federal Ministry of Schooling like the brand new curriculum seems good on paper, however the issue is the political will, the competence, and the feasibility of the structural framework for the implementation.
“As an illustration, I’ve at all times believed that each coverage in training ought to have a bottom-up strategy, and never a top-down strategy. Fundamental training on this nation is run on the state and native council degree. So, when we’ve insurance policies being developed on the federal degree with out essential enter and imprint from stakeholders from the native and state ranges, not simply these in training administration itself, will probably be tough to run that coverage successfully.
“So, the strategy to coverage formulation in training should be from the underside and coming all the way in which to the highest, and never the opposite manner spherical. Additionally, we must not ever underestimate what it is going to take to run the coverage, and what the coverage will actually require. Within the 6-3-3-4 system, the technical abilities as topics are designed to be launched on the junior secondary college degree, whereas the scholars will actually solely go into their observe in senior secondary college.
“What the Ministry of Schooling is proposing now could be from the first college. How can we make the abilities and topics related from the first college degree? How can we successfully practice and equip academics throughout the board to take the teachings? At what level or degree can we make a transition from principle to observe? What concerning the gear that will likely be wanted? How can we intend to make use of digital means to attach classroom studying to actuality within the exterior world?
“As an illustration, we’ve Civic Schooling being made a obligatory topic for secondary college college students within the nation, and in my estimation, it’s all classroom principle, with out no impression on the bottomline of the scholars imbibing the beliefs of the topic.”
In the meantime, the Registrar/Chief Govt of Lecturers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Josiah Ajiboye, just lately mentioned that primarily based on a survey carried out by a guide working with the TRCN, over 70 per cent of academics in non-public colleges within the Southwest together with Lagos usually are not TRCN licensed.
He added: “Whereas a big proportion of academics in public colleges are certified and have registered with TRCN, the identical can’t be mentioned of academics in non-public colleges.
“The TRCN has targeted on mobilisation of academics in non-public colleges to first get certified by registering for Postgraduate Diploma in Schooling or Skilled Diploma in Schooling because the case could also be, to make them registrable with the TRCN in order that they are often licensed.”
Ajiboye famous that some non-public college homeowners promote quackery in educating to maximise revenue, because the non-public college homeowners make use of simply anybody and unleash them on the youngsters.
The Guardian contacted the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Schooling, Mr Kayode Sutton, on concrete plans for the implementation of the brand new curriculum together with the rollout of apparatus for every of the brand new topics in every of the faculties throughout the state.
Sutton mentioned that the state authorities below Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is able to implement the brand new curriculum and even take it greater, nevertheless, the state remains to be anticipating a template from the Federal Authorities on implementation of the brand new curriculum.
He added that after the Federal Authorities makes obtainable the template, Lagos State authorities will rollout its motion plan.
The Director, Info of the Federal Ministry of Schooling, Folasade Omoboriowo, was additionally contacted.
After informing her of the difficulty being labored on, she didn’t even hearken to the questions, declining remark. She mentioned she solely relates with and takes questions from a particular reporter in The Guardian and won’t relate with anybody else.
In the meantime, the sudden change, final Wednesday, within the management of the Federal Ministry of Schooling with the exit of Prof. Tahir Mamman and redeployment of the Minister of State for Schooling, Dr. Yusuf Sununu to Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Discount Ministry in the identical capability, may additionally have an effect on the January 2025 take-off date for the implementation of the brand new coverage. However stakeholders are optimistic that their successors – Dr. Tunji Alausa and Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad (Minister of State) – ought to be well-disposed to the brand new curriculum given its multifaceted advantages.
