Nigeria’s curriculum not suitable for 21st-century learners – Stakeholders tell FG

 

Stakeholders in the education sector among whom are academics, proprietors, professionals, politicians and representatives of examination bodies have declared that the current curriculum is not suitable for 21st-century learners in the country.

They made this disclosure in a communique issued at the end of a panel discussion on the future of education held to mark the 10th Anniversary of Erudite Millennium at the weekend in Ibadan.

Those who spoke at the discussion, themed “Education in the Developed World and in Nigeria: The Way Forward,” observed that Nigeria inherited its educational system from the British at a time they were already changing their educational model.

The stakeholders in the communique made available to DAILY POST on Monday then called for the review of curriculum across various levels of education in the country.

Some of those who spoke at the discussion panel included the former director of the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre, Professor Francis Egbokhare, former Dean of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Professor Clement Kolawole and Mr Luqman Molumo, the founder of Heritage Global Academy, Ikorodu.

Others are Hajia Amina Zakari, former INEC National Commissioner, Professor Rashid Aderinoye, former Executive Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education, Professor DOS Noibi (OBE), Mr Folawiyo Bello, Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Mr Afeez Bolaji Repete, former APC Deputy National Youth Leader, Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi and Chief Joseph Tegbe, Oyo South Senatorial District candidates of the Accord and Peoples Democratic Parties respectively.

Also at the occasion were representatives of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), National Examination Council (NECO), National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Nigeria Police Force Education Unit, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS).

The panel in the communique observed that there are shortcomings in our educational system which Nigerians often amplify. It observed that Nigeria’s educational system is obsolete and was inherited from the British at a time they were already changing their educational model, and further stressed that the current curriculum in the county does not suit the needs of the 21st-century learner.

They added that Nigeria runs a mono-curriculum in a heterogeneous country.

The stakeholders then recommended the development and adoption of a new curriculum.

They noted: “We must be wary of adopting educational models from the West as the best fit for the country is a home-grown educational system and policy which evolves from the active participation of all stakeholders in the educational sector―government, school owners, teachers, parents, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and also the learners.

“In drafting a new curriculum for our schools, we must explore our national assets such as culture and religion so that our new educational model will take into consideration what makes us different and unique as Nigerians.

“Our new educational model must explore the deployment of technology both in the medium of instruction and acquisition of skills for learners. We cannot get laid back in a world where some countries in the Global South are recording landmarks in technology. Our students must be made competitive in this sphere through adequate training and awareness.”