By Ngozi Nwankwo
Federal Government has disclosed its resolve to come up with a fresh curriculum that would capture skills development in all levels of education in Nigeria by this September.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman made this disclosure at
One-Day Pre-Validation Meeting of Stakeholders on the National Policy on Skills Development held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Discribing the pre-Validation on the National Policy on Skills Development as the first informative outing in the education sector and one of the important legacies the government is delivering, Mamman said that Nigerian Education Research and Development Council, NERDC, and
the National Board for Technical Education,NBTE, have started working on the fresh skills curriculum, adding that it would be implemented by Private and public schools both in states and federal.
“This will be done in both public and private schools across the country. The idea will address learning crisis and issues of school dropout among young adults.
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“We have been working on a national skills framework for the country in the last eight months.
“Introduction of skills in our education system has become a necessity; this will ensure that they learn some practical aptitude to help them earn a living,’’ said the Minister.
He tasked the agencies to come up with the skills curriculum will be adopted and implemented in Primary, Basic, Secondary and tertiary education to help address learning crisis in Nigeria.
” The idea of this Pre-Validation Meeting is for the ministry to address the learning crisis much talked about and that level of education in Nigeria where people are being unable to read, write and comprehend things.
” Some of them after they finish primary and secondary education only 35 per cent of them transit to tertiary education
we have a bunch of 65 per cent of young boys and girls out there who are not in formal education, employment and do not have any form of trading.
“The result is what we are seeing in the looting during the recent protest.
“The only solution to address the skills gap is to expose the younger ones to skills,” he said.
Mamman urged education players to approach this discussion with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to shaping a future where youths would be empowered to reach their full potential.
“Today, as we gather for this pre-validation meeting, I urge you to approach this discussion with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to shaping a future where our youth are empowered to reach their full potential.
” Your expertise, insights and collective wisdom will be instrumental in refining and strengthening this policy ensuring that it serves as a robust framework for skills development across Nigeria.
“Together, let us embark on this transformative journey, where education, skills and entrepreneurship converge to create a more prosperous and equitable society for all, he said.
In his Goodwill Message, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Education Manager, Munamuzunga Sikaulu, said the policy would be a game changer to support skilling in the young people.
Sikaulu stressed the need for a comprehensive implementation plan and roles at the federal, state, local government and community levels.
“The skills curriculum will change the future of the children as well as that of the country.
“Let’s focus on the implementation strategy and how the policy can be a reality for our children,’’ he said.