The Nation Newspaper

Tag: curriculum?

  • Ministry, CBN to develop Financial Literacy curriculum

    THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is working with the Federal Ministry of Education to develop a new curriculum on Financial Literacy, which will be introduced to public and private schools in the country, its Director, Consumer Protection, Mr. Fada Banon, has said.

    Speaking at a sensitisation fair organised by the bank at the Three Star Hotel in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, Banon said the curriculum was aimed at exposing Nigerians to financial discipline at a young age and educate them about financial regulations.

    The director said the bank hopes to, through the new subject, reduce fraud, financial abuses and damage to the naira by the public.

    During a question- and-answer session, most of the participants made up of farmers, small scale entrepreneurs and pupils, decried the attitude of the commercial banks in the state for poor service and uninformed charges.

    A member of staff of Jigawa Polytechnic, Musa Shuaibu, complained that the Automatic Transaction Machines (ATM) in the state only paid a maximum of N20,000 at once.

  • Automobile Council reviews curriculum

    In line with new technologies in the automobile industry, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has updated the curriculum for automechatronics in Nigeria.

    The curriculum will help train auto technicians to become conversant with innovations in cars and how to make repairs.

    The curriculum underwent a critical assessment at a two-day workshop held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Airport Road last Thursday.

    Director General, (NADDC) Mr Aminu Jalal said the curriculum was initially developed in 2010 and due for review in 2015 but was eventually completed last year to remedy the skill gap noted in a survey done in 2010.

    He noted that the curriculum is supposed to be reviewed every five years but the previous one which was created in the 1960s has been in use until it was halted in 2016 following the collaboration of Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the auto industry practitioners, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the German Technical Cooperation among others.

    He explained that the old curriculum which had three levels – Trade Test III, II and I is now being replaced with a competency-based curriculum using the concept of modularisation as enshrined in Competence Based Education and Training (CBET).  He added that its certification is equal to a degree.

    “We discovered that most of our vehicles are full electronic and you will agree with me that our mechanics today are finding it difficult to repair these cars.

    “We identify individual mechanics, his needs, his challenges and what he needs to improve. Today’s cars have gone electronic – that is – the car can talk to you, the car can tell you its problems and you know it is the electronics unit that does those things. It is no longer loosening and tightening as before.So what NADDC is doing is to ensure that they make those mechanics close to the car so that they can master them,” he said.

    Engineer Yakubu Pakshar, President, Automative Sector Skills Council, said 51 courses in the new curriculum were designed to be delivered at three levels – 16 courses at the basic stage, 21 at the intermediate stage and 14 at the final stage, with developed instructional manuals and teaching materials.

    Also to ensure competency in Mechatronic Education, NBTE in partnership with other stakeholders have updated the National Occupational Standard (NOS) into five levels for the certification of graduates in this field.

    Jalal said the essence of the NOS “will in the future put out-of-school children, adults, graduates and apprentices at both formal and informal setting in their rightful positions as far as skill acquisition is concerned.

    “It is also designed for the development, classification and recognition of skills, knowledge and competencies acquired by individuals irrespective of where and how the skill was acquired”.

  • Lycee Francais holds curriculum workshop for parents of primary school pupils

    With Nigeria being surrounded by French-speaking countries, the French government has showcased the benefits of the French school curriculum through its Lagos-based school, Lycée Français Louis Pasteur, located in Victoria Island.

    The school, which belongs to the worldwide network of schools operating under the French Agency for Teaching Abroad (AEFE), is managed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    During an information session for parents of primary school-aged puils held at the Human Rights auditorium of the school, parents learnt about the French primary school system as well as the French curriculum in comparison with other international curricula – highlighting the school’s bilingual teaching.

    Principal of the school, Mr. Alain Berna, said with the world becoming a global village, today’s children should be exposed to values and skills that would prepare them to compete on the world stage.

    He said the French educational system promotes strong positive values such as freedom, equality, togetherness, respect, spirit of justice, solidarity, freedom of speech, openness, creative spirit, and diversity,

    He added that pupils that pass through Lycée Français are trained to develop curiosity and courage with which they can excel in all of their chosen endeavours.

    “At Lycée Français, parents can be assured of a teaching language that is rich, varied and efficient,” Berna said, adding that “the French language is the paramount language of instruction, but does not overshadow learning in many other languages like English, Spanish, German and others on request.”

    He said the school takes advantage of the diversity of its students and the languages they practice to make plurilingual education one of its priorities.

    Director of the school, Mrs. Pascale Lagleize, said parents of primary school-aged children were targeted because of the importance of primary education in the French Education system.

    “The primary school is the gateway to the French school system, which is divided into the eight kindergarten classes and 14 elementary classes,” she said.

    Lagleize explained that while following the French national curriculum, students benefit from reinforced English teaching through the bilingual system. She said personalised support, citizens, artistic, cultural projects, as well as numerous extracurricular activities complement this teaching and allows pupils to learn at their own pace and flourish.

    The French curriculum presentation was facilitated by Olivier Alfonsi, Head of Pedagogical Training at the school.

  • Teachers seek review of curriculum

    Teachers seek review of curriculum

    THE challenges of teaching topped discussion during a conference of the South-east zone of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU). The event, held at the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, centred on how participants could bring about change in the profession.

    COEASU coordinator in the South-east, Dr Ikechukwu Agboh, said the conference was an opportunity to explore practical ways to improve teaching. He described education as “the greatest treasure”, stressing that there is need for improvement in teachers’ performance at all times. He urged the participants to invest in knowledge.

    The Provost, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, who spoke on the theme: Teacher education in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects, listed the challenges of teaching to include weak regulations, lack of accountability, sharp practices, autonomy and inadequate funding, among others.

    He said: “Quality of training institutions has also been of concern to the stakeholders. If the challenges are properly addressed, our education institutions would be placed in good ranking among teacher training institutions in the world.”

    Ogbuagu said the Federal Government, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) need to take steps to improve and raise the standard in colleges of education.

    “This is evident in documents produced on teaching standards and quality. Continuous renewal of the NCE minimum standards, sensitisation workshops and re-accreditation exercises would bring about improved training and development,” he added.

    COEASU chairman in the college, Dr Albert Nwamaradi, said the national policy on education was clear on how the goals of tertiary education should be pursued, noting that research and dissemination of knowledge were key points in the policy. He said the conference provided a platform for teachers to share experiences and ideas for the good of the profession.

    Dr Ephraim Orikpe, who chaired the occasion, described the theme of the conference as timely, saying the event would proffer workable solutions to several challenges facing education.

    He said: “I expected all colleges of education in the South-east to mobilise their lecturers to attend the conference to discuss the problems. Anambra State stands out in the funding of education. Other states should borrow a leaf from the state.”

    Governor Willie Obiano stressed the need for capacity building for teachers in order to make them improve on quality. He expressed joy that the conference dwelt solely on teachers’ education, advising the participants take advantage of the conference to improve their skills.

    The governor was represented by the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Education, Dr Beatrice Okonkwo.

    In his keynote speech, Provost of Federal College of Education in Asaba, Dr Ignatius Ezoem, urged the NCCE to set acceptable standard for establishment of college.

    He said: “Teaching practice helps to monitor our standard. Teaching practice is integral for the measurement of students’ ability to teach. Some teachers don’t teach according to the curriculum; they feed their students with personal opinions. The notes they have been using for the past seven years have not been updated. These teachers ignore development in the profession.”

    He called for the review of curriculum in order to groom students for self- employment.

  • ‘Schools need skills in curriculum’

    In a bid to address the never-ending unemployment situation in the country, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chairman of Ladela Schools, Abuja, Dr Joshua Usman has said the way out is to inculcate entrepreneurship skills into schools from basic level.

    Usman said this at the inter-house sports competition of the school, adding that the educational system in Nigeria has suffered so many setbacks as a result of change of government and policy somersaults.

    But he assured that unemployment can be taken care of with a bit of modification.

    He said sporting activities in schools should be encouraged and made to be a huge annual event as it keeps humans mentally alert, with the ability of creating the opportunity to sleep very well as well as creating friendship and bond.

    “The educational system in Nigeria generally, has suffered some challenges. The challenges I have noticed personally is policy somersault, you bring one minister today and he brings in a new policy, you bring in one government today and it brings another policy. We went through reform system in those days and it was said we were running the American system. I believe there should be a little bit modification in our educational system. We can introduce entrepreneurship and learning the arts. I believe government is looking into it now by improving the quality of teaching and the policies being brougt into place to promote better quality education.”

    “If entrepreneurial skills are inculcated in the educational system. The issue of unemployment would have been taken care of. ýIf they are taught this from secondary school and how to think outside the box, that will be very great.”

    “I remember how I used to represent my school from plateau state in other parts of the country. Then school sports was a yearly event and we go from one state capital to another. I remember when I was in Owerri for the first time as a result of school sports.”

    “We have a great potential but we are not tapping into it. Sport is very important as it keeps us mentally alert, it gives us the opportunity to sleep very well and too interact properly. It creates friendship and bonding between people.”

  • Shehu Sani hails school’s curriculum

    Shehu Sani hails school’s curriculum

    Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Shehu Sani has hailed Benson Idahosa University (BIU) for including practical skills and field trips in its curriculum. Giving the students local and international exposure, Sani said, would improve their knowledge of diplomacy and politics.

    He spoke during the visit of members of the BIU Young Diplomats Club to the National Assembly in Abuja.

    The students are of the Department of International Studies and Diplomacy.

    Sani said: “I am of the opinion that BIU is doing better than some of the so-called big universities from what I have seen. When students from other schools come here, I ask them questions and discover that many of them, who study International Studies and Diplomacy, have not gone out of the country.”

    Sani applauded the department for giving its students needed exposure, as he advised other universities to emulate BIU. He said the visits would help broaden students’ knowledge and intellect.

    Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnena Ukeje, also met with the students, speaking extensively on changing nature of diplomatic relations. The lawmaker advised the students to use the opportunity to have practical experience on International Studies and Diplomacy.

    Hon. Akpatason Ohio Peter, representing Auchi Federal Constituency, supported the students with N50,000 and encouraged them to study hard.

    The Young Diplomats Club members observed proceedings in the National Assembly. At the House of Representatives, their presence was formally announced by Speaker Yakubu Dogara. The students left the National Assembly to visit embassies.

    The Young Diplomats Club was established to serve as a platform for career and academic training and exposure for students of International Studies and Diplomacy of the university.

  • ITF redesigns curriculum

    ITF redesigns curriculum

    The Industrial Training Fund has hinted of plans to redesign the institutional curriculum to match the skills needs of the country.

    The Acting Director General of the ITF, Dickson Onuoha who disclosed this during a visit by the Internal Labour Organisation in Abuja, said the key challenge in Nigeria is unemployment.

    The ITF, he stressed, intends expanding training facilities by bringing in more equipment’s to ensure proper delivery of knowledge on skills acquisition. This is to also ensure the skills learnt will be corresponding with national demand.

    “The ITF has started a number of programs towards empowering the youths. It is expected that the private sector should champion job creation while the government build lasting policies to see this through.”

    Responding, the ILO Country Representative, Dennis Zulu said the government has been able to deliver on its mandate by the establishment of ITF, which is to ensure youths acquire skills.

     

  • Nigerian curriculum not deficient’

    Nigerian curriculum not deficient’

    Mrs Ifueko Thomas is among educationists who do not believe education standard is poor and the Nigerian curriculum deficient.  Brooke House School, Lekki Proprietor, which opens its doors to pupils for the first time on September 18 in pre-school up to primary three,  said the standard stipulated by the National Policy on Education and the curriculum was high but education providers have not been able to meet up in terms of quality.

    “I do not believe the standard of education is falling. I believe the quality of delivery is faulty. Our curriculum is rich, but we are not meeting up to it.  To meet the standard we have set, we need a particular quality of teachers and resources,” she said.

    Mrs Thomas, who worked at top management level at Corona School, Agbara, and Salvation International School Ikeja, said her school would fully deploy the Nigerian curriculum and use various proven methods to implement it.

    “Our lessons, which will be founded on the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Education nine-year basic education curriculum, will incorporate aspects of the International Primary Curriculum, the Montessori programme, the High Scope programme and the Reggio Emilia from Italy,” she said.

    Mrs Thomas also said her school would accommodate children with special needs by providing specialists who can teach children with lower spectrum autism disorder, dyslexia, as well hearing and speech impairment.  She said the school is collaborating with a researcher at the University of Lagos to monitor progress of the children.

    Regarding teachers as the most important resource in achieving quality education service delivery, Mrs Thomas said her school would place priority on teacher development.

    “As far as I am concerned, the teacher is the most important factor in imparting knowledge.  We are going to encourage and enable teachers to continue professional educational development.  Those already with me have gone to do their Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Diploma in Early Childhood Care Education; and some are doing their B.Ed or masters,” she said.

    At the end of schooling, she said the Brooke House School child would get well-rounded education.

    “The child that comes out of Brooke House will be proud of his heritage but internationally minded.  Resources are in place to take children from crèche to Primary 3,” she said.

  • NGO seeks sex education topics in curriculum

    A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Akure, Ondo State, Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), has urged both the Federal and state governments to introduce sex education in the curriculum of both primary and secondary schools.

    An official of the NGO, Mrs Abiola Olarinre, spoke while addressing some female secondary school pupils during a sensitization workshop.

    She stressed the need for proper monitoring of all female children by their parents, especially during their adolescent stage, to avoid exposure to bad behaviours associated with their age. She also called on teachers to guide the female students under their watch to avoid immoral acts and juvenile delinquencies. Mrs Olarinre who cautioned female students against pre-marital sex, warned of many dangers inherent in such act.

     

  • Govt should review curriculum to tackle unemployment – Expert

    Lead Strategist of Crescita Consult, Mr Segun Akiode has called for a review of the education curriculum to tackle massive unemployment in the country.

    About 20.3 million Nigerians are unemployed.

    Akiode spoke at the launch of his book titled ‘Corporate Misfit,’ in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He lamented that jobs are available but young graduates and job seekers are unemployed because of their inability to fit into a job.

    “They are unsuitable for employment; they are unable to keep a job and are not able to fill the job positions,” he said.

    He noted that employers of labour need to hire regularly but they complain about scarcity of talent in the labour market.

    Akiode, a recruiter, said there is a wide gap between the school and the corporate world. He said it is important for students to have ties with the corporate world while still in school.

    “There must be a link between the school and the corporate world. Young graduates must develop their skills to be employable while they are in school.

    “You should not use the same CV for all jobs; your CV must be suitable for the particular job you are looking for and you must review your CV and make it up to date regularly,” he charged.

    Akiode noted that while students are in school, they must understand what the corporate world is like and must be ready to take responsibility.

    Based on years of experience as a recruiter, Akiode said it is worrisome to find university graduates for available entry level jobs, hence the reason for writing the book which addresses a few of the knowledge, attitude and skill gap among fresh graduates.

    “The book offers fresh graduates and job seekers wise counsel to make better career choices and to help them not to lose their way. The book is about paradigm shifts from the conventional teachings of societal norms about the career and the job search process,” he said.

    Akiode added that the writing of the book was borne out of a cry to deal with the growing concern among employers of labour and recruiters about the state of employability of fresh graduates in Nigeria.