The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has announced the launch of a transformative programme aimed at integrating skills and vocational training into the nation’s primary and secondary schools.
Mamman said this during a meeting with the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), in Abuja on Thursday .
While underscoring the importance of unity within Nigeria’s academic community, he said the initiative was set to revitalise the 6-3-3-4 educational system.
He added that it would also equip students with practical skills by the end of their junior secondary education.
Mamman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to engage with CONUA, recognising the crucial role that academics play in shaping the future of education in Nigeria.
He stressed the need for cohesion within the academic sector, cautioning against fragmentation while acknowledging the value that diverse perspectives bring to the table.
Addressing various concerns raised by CONUA, including the welfare of retirees and the recent discussions surrounding school admission ages, Mamman reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing reforms.
“The Ministry is actively working on these issues, with a focus on delivering immediate solutions to the most pressing matters.
“The new skills and vocational training programme is a testament to the Ministry’s forward-thinking approach to education.
“We are committed to collaboration with all stakeholders in addressing the challenges within the academic sector,” he said .
On his part, the CONUA National President, Niyi Sunmonu, commended the Minister for initiating the meeting and expressed the union’s commitment to maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar.
Sunmonu highlighted several challenges facing CONUA members, including the withholding of salaries and unpaid promotion arrears, which had resulted in stagnant academic remuneration in the face of rising living costs.
He urged the government to address these issues promptly to avoid potential unrest within the university system.
He also raised concerns about the delay in pension payments under the 2014 Pension Act and the enforcement of the minimum age policy for university admissions.
He further stressed the need for CONUA’s inclusion in the newly constituted NEEDS Assessment Committee, given the union’s critical role in shaping national education policy.
