By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The Federal Government says it has introduced skills acquisition and values in the new curriculum for basic education to be rolled out before the end of October.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman made this known in Abuja on Thursday, at the 68th National Council on Education (NCE) Meeting.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the development is a departure from the wholly knowledged-based curriculum in that stage of education
Mamman said the new curriculum would focus on skills that would enable graduates possess abilities, with which they could connect with the economy and have a productive life.
“The Ministry is about rolling out a new curriculum for Basic Education and Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria from this October.
“This is designed to incorporate knowledge, skills and values, especially with a special focus on skills,” he said.
Mamman explained that the Ministry is implementing the Education Transformation Agenda of the administration, designed to comprehensively overhaul the education sector, ensure quality learning, skill development, access and equity.
According to him, the concrete framework and route to accomplish the ideals is captured as ‘DOTS’, an acronym representing: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children
Education, Teacher Training and Development, and Skills Acquisition.
He charged stakeholders at the meeting to critically deliberate on the issues around the sector and come up with recommendations that would reposition the educational system.
“Our discussion at this session should focus on strategies needed to ensure education in a knowledge-based economy, driven by creativity and digital excellence.
“Our nation’s future hinges on our ability to be part of innovation, digital technology and entrepreneurship which the youths are expected to be part of as key players,” he added.
NAN reports the theme for the 68th NCE meeting is “Innovation, Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship: Tools for Educational and National Development in the 21st Century”.
The meeting brought together Permanent Secretaries in the state ministries of education, Commissioners for Education, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and International partners, among others.
The event featured the unveiling of a digital device to make proceedings at the meeting seamless. (NAN)
