……Rep. Salam Urges Review Of Curriculum Across Institutions
By Joshua Afolabi, Abuja
In a bid to align Nigeria’s education system with global standards, the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 6, 2024, passed a motion sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam, urging the Federal and State Ministry of Education to conduct a comprehensive review of the curriculum across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
The motion aims to address the curriculum’s limitations in developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills, as well as its lack of emphasis on practical applications and global perspectives.
The House during the day’s plenary resolved to align the curriculum with evolving global market demands, emphasizing skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, and adaptability.
The motion also seeks to address resource disparities, ensure equitable access to qualified teachers and infrastructure, and incorporate a global perspective to foster global citizenship.
According to the motion, “Aware that the world is in flux, skills needed to thrive are constantly evolving, demanding a critical evaluation of current educational systems, the traditional curriculum may not adequately equip graduates for the dynamic labour market to bridge this gap, a comprehensive review of educational programmes at all levels is essential;
“Also aware that the review should focus on aligning learning outcomes with the demands of the contemporary world, fostering critical thinking, innovation and equipping students with tools lost to navigate an increasingly digital landscape, to ensure the education system remains relevant and empowers individuals to succeed in the ever-changing world;
“Worried that the curriculum prioritizes theoretical knowledge and rote memorization over equipping students with the practical skills increasingly demanded by the globalized job market, this could leave Nigerian graduates unprepared for the realities of workplace expectations;
“Also worried that the Nigerian curriculum, compared to advanced countries, lacks sufficient technology integration, hindering digital literacy skills necessary to thrive in a tech-driven world;
“Concerned that the rigid curriculum structure limits student exploration and overlooks global perspectives, potentially hindering graduates’ adaptability and competitiveness in the interconnected world;
“Also concerned that a heavy reliance on standardized tests restrict opportunities for fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.”
This is part of efforts to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s traditional curriculum and the demands of the contemporary world, empowering graduates to succeed in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
Hon. Alhassan Rurum seconded the motion.
Hon. Oyeshina Oyedeji (PDP-Oyo State) added a prayer to the motion asking the Federal Ministry of Education to look into the implementation strategy of the already existing Programmes on education and the amendment
Seconded by Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo (Anambra) after which it was put to voice votes and taken.
The House directed its Committees on Basic Education Services and University Education to ensure compliance.
