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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Olusola Fatoba, has said that the new skills and vocations introduced into school curricula by the Federal Government are to enhance practical skills and employability.
Fatoba, who urged parents and schoolchildren to embrace the new developments in the curriculum of primary and junior secondary schools, said, “The initiative is a testament to the fact that President Bola Tinubu has the interests of Nigerian students at heart.”
The lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, who spoke in a chat with journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, however, called for the inclusion of a historical programme.
He said, “The Federal Government has taken a very valid step with the new skills and vocations. But I still call for the introduction of history in the curriculum for the pupils to know about their past to be able to project into the future.”
Fatoba said that the updated curriculum designed for primary and junior secondary school students, whose implementation would begin in January 2025, “aims to equip Nigerian students with modern skills like digital literacy, robotics, and various vocational and entrepreneurship opportunities.”
The lawmaker, who said that the new curriculum targets making students self-reliant, competitive, and aligned with global standards, said, “The government plans to finalise preparations over the next two to three months to ensure both private and public schools are ready.
“These preparations include teacher training, the development of instructional guides and infrastructure improvements.”
Fatoba, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values, said, “Students will have the option to choose from various courses, of which they will have practical knowledge relevant to the economy upon graduation.
The newly introduced trades in the Basic Education curriculum, according to him, are plumbing; tiling and floor works; POP installation; event decoration and management; bakery and confectioneries; hairstyling; makeup; interior design; phone repairs; and satellite/television antenna installation.
Others are close circuit television, intercom installation and maintenance; solar installation and maintenance; garment making; agriculture and processing (i crop production; beekeeping; horticulture; sheep and goat farming; poultry, and rabbit farming); and basic digital literacy (IT and robotics).
PUNCH Online reported that the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said the new curriculum for basic schools will take effect from January 2025.
Mamman said under the new curriculum, pupils in basic schools will be required to acquire at least two skills.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Dr Margret Lawani, said all together there are about 15 different trades newly introduced, or skills for basic education.”
