Curriculum implementation in Nigeria has encountered a setback as the federal government missed its January 2025 deadline for the rollout of the new national education curriculum.
The Nigerian government had set a goal to implement a revised national curriculum aimed at improving educational standards across the country.
The curriculum, designed to enhance critical thinking, practical skills, and the overall quality of education, was expected to be introduced in January 2025.
The former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had announced that the new academic curriculum for basic and junior secondary schools would begin in January 2025.
To ensure this, the government planned to fine-tune arrangements from October to December 2024, including teacher training and infrastructure development.
These efforts were intended to ensure that both private and public schools would be ready for full implementation by January 2025.
However, January has ended without any tangible progress on the matter. Reports indicate that there are still significant shortages in school facilities and a lack of teacher training, leaving stakeholders uncertain about how the changes will unfold.
The new curriculum was designed to introduce 15 new trades for basic education, focusing on skills that would enhance the employability of graduates from primary and junior secondary levels. These trades included basic digital literacy, IT, robotics, building and construction, hospitality, garment making, and agriculture.
Despite the potential benefits of the reform, a recent tour of several public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory revealed little evidence of readiness for the new curriculum. Many schools remain unprepared for the proposed changes.
The new curriculum aimed to address several challenges in Nigeria’s education sector, including outdated teaching methods, a lack of practical skills training, and an overemphasis on rote learning.
It also sought to better align the educational system with global standards and prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. Key elements of the reform included updates to subjects like mathematics, science, and the arts, as well as a focus on integrating technology into classrooms.
The government had promised the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition to the new curriculum, but these promises appear to have fallen short of expectations.
This delay has triggered frustration and disappointment among many stakeholders, who argue that setbacks like this only exacerbate the challenges faced by Nigeria’s educational system.
Many educators fear that the continued postponement will hinder progress in equipping students with the skills required for the 21st-century workforce.
A key issue raised is the continuity of education reforms in Nigeria. Critics question whether incoming administrators will abandon projects from previous leaders in favor of new initiatives.
Upon assuming office, the new Minister of Education, Alausa, hinted at revising the basic education curriculum to better align with the needs of the 21st century.
He emphasised a strong focus on civic education, aiming to educate students from basic to post-basic education levels about patriotism and the significance of being Nigerian.
While Alausa abolished the 18-year admission benchmark for tertiary institutions, he did not specifically mention eliminating the new curriculum design. Many Nigerians still hold high expectations that the curriculum will be implemented, as originally planned.
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