The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has emphasized the imperative need for an extensive revision of the secondary education curriculum.
The objective is to provide students with enhanced opportunities to acquire pertinent trade and entrepreneurship skills, aligning with the dynamic demands of the contemporary world.
NERDC’s Executive Secretary, Ismail Junaidu, conveyed this message during a high-level policy committee meeting centered on the ‘New Secondary Education Curriculum Structure and Benchmark,’ held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Junaidu emphasized that the current Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC), in use for the past 12 years, is no longer aligned with the overarching goals of education, encompassing human capital development, job creation, value reorientation, and poverty eradication.
“The 2011 academic year witnessed the introduction of the current Senior Secondary Education Curriculum. This came about after we conducted a thorough review of the school curricula starting at the primary school level,” Junaidu explained.
He further stressed that the curriculum must evolve to meet the needs of the present, fostering new skills and competencies crucial for success in the contemporary world.
Education Minister, Tahir Maman, commended NERDC for the initiative, acknowledging the overdue nature of the curriculum review.
Maman highlighted the significance of regular reviews, stating that they should ideally be conducted annually.
“This is a very important milestone, especially at this time when we are doing so much in the area of reforms,” Maman commented, emphasizing the need to ensure that students receive the best training and qualifications.
Maman also stressed the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in the revision process.
He asserted that the engagement of stakeholders is pivotal to the success of the initiative, emphasizing that their involvement would contribute to a well-rounded and effective curriculum overhaul.
The move by NERDC signals a commitment to equipping students with the skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving global landscape, aligning education with the broader goals of national development.
