The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), has commenced a five-day workshop on the review, development and critique of pupil’s textbooks in National Values and History for the education of nomadic pastoralists and migrant fisherfolk/farmers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, (NCNE, Prof. Bashir Usman, said the workshop would ensure that the adapted/developed materials would conform with the culture of the nomadic child.
Usman, represented by the Director, Extension Education and Skills Development, Dr Abdu Ardo, said the workshop would also ensure that the adapted/developed materials meet the minimum national norms and standards of basic education in Nigeria.
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“This workshop is not only relevant but also timely because of the urgent need to make available standardized reading materials for our clientele at this time.
”The effective implementation of Nomadic Education Programme (NEP) depends largely on the continuous review and update of relevant and standard educational materials.
”In doing this, the Commission is very mindful of the peculiar needs, work role and environment of these target groups.
“It is my hope that the outcome of this development and critique will further mainstream and integrate nomads into the national lifestyle through relevant, qualitative and functional education as well as boosts their knowledge, skills and practices to contribute positively their own quota in the affairs of the nation.
“I am confident the resource persons from various institutions of learning will approach this task with great commitment that it requires to make these materials relevant to our target groups.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has been supportive in the implementation of Nomadic Education Programme and commitment to the delivery of quality education in Nigeria and is hereby commended alongside the entire staff of the Commission for their efforts in achieving the desired goal of NEP and making this workshop a success.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Rose Nwaji, who was represented by the Chief Education Officer in the Department of PRS, Mrs Bukola Ismaila, said it is the Commission’s view that offering the nomadic groups access to qualitative basic education would improve knowledge, skills, practices and help raise both the productive and income levels of the nomads.
She said: “It is the Commission’s view that offering the nomadic groups access to qualitative basic education would improve knowledge, skills, practices and help raise both the productive and income levels of the nomads.
” In view of this, the Commission, since inception has placed high premium on the continuous review and development of qualitative instructional materials that can positively improve pupil’s learning, motivation and general enhancement.
“The objectives of the workshop are to develop pupil’s texts in National Values (Social Studies and Civic & Security Education) for the migrant fisherfolk/farmers levels (1-6) to ensure the attainment of national standards of basic education in Nigeria and critically examine the reviewed/developed pupil’s texts in National Values (pastoralists) and History (migrant fisherfolk/farmers) levels 1-6.
“The workshop will also develop pupil’s texts that can provide proper instructions on the use of synchronised curriculum; ensure that all the topics in the curriculum are captured in the pupil’s texts across the levels (1-6) and determine the relevance of the materials to the socio-cultural values of nomads; and produce hard draft copies of the new pupil’s texts.
“As you are aware, National Values in Education produce a cultured and disciplined individual. It contributes in shaping the lifestyle of an individual and the society which, explains why moral education cannot be detached from National Values.
“In other words, History as a subject in Basic schools, enables the pupils to understand knowledge of the past and how it relates to the present. It also enables them to appreciate the basis for the unity of Nigeria as a force that shapes the affairs of the world.
