Reps Urge Federal Government To Rescind Action On Curriculum Review

The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to immediately rescind its curriculum review policy.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance, sponsored by the member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma‑Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa State, Hon. Oboku Oforji, at plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Oforji noted that sequel to a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education, key subjects, including but not limited to, Computer Studies, Data Processing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Photography and Civic Education, have been removed from the WAEC portal.

The lawmaker also noted that while acknowledging the efforts to enhance the national curriculum, the timing was just not right.

He said trade subjects like Data Processing are among the most popular and widely offered subjects in many schools across the country because of its market relevance and students’ interest.

According to Oforji, computer studies is almost universally offered and is fundamental to modern digital literacy, making its sudden removal counterproductive at a time the world was going digital.

He also queried why the federal government removed Civic Education from the school curriculum when the bulk of what the National Orientation Agency (NOA) does is to enlighten citizens about their civic duties as good citizens of Nigeria.

“It is worrisome that at a time when the world is going digital especially in the educational sector and Nigeria is trying to catch up that you remove a fundamental subject like Computer Science.

“Most of our Examination Bodies are adopting the CBT model for the conduct of their examinations. How will such students learn the basics. Students in SS3 have been diligently studying these removed subjects (Data Processing, Computer Studies, Civic Education, etc) from SS1.

“Worried that the removal of three or more foundational subjects from the mandatory eight subjects, limits the students, and violates the minimum requirement for the examination which is eight, they will now be left with five subjects.

“Also worried that with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), barely four months away, it is academically impossible for students to select and adequately prepare for new unstudied subjects to meet the required eight subjects (at least three new subjects).

“Further worried that thousands of students across the federation preparing for the 2026 WASSCE to be conducted by WAEC are in distress and confusion as we speak. It is imperative that students in SS3, who are four months away from their examinations be allowed to write the WASSCE in subjects they have been studying since SS1, the implementation of this new curriculum should be rescinded.

“Saddened that the academic future of thousands of students across the country is in jeopardy and by inference their rights are being tampered with,” the lawmaker argued.

The House, following the adoption of the motion, urged the Federal Ministry of Education to, as a matter of urgency and considering the limited timeframe, to rescind the implementation of the curriculum review directive in order to give students a fair chance of success at the examinations.