In a significant education reform, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially postponed the rollout of the revised basic education curriculum and announced a new implementation date. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to ensure a smooth transition and effective implementation of the new educational framework.
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Key Changes in the New Basic Education System
The most notable shift in the reform is the introduction of compulsory 12 years of uninterrupted basic education, leading to the phasing out of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), also known as Junior WAEC. This marks a departure from the previous structure, where students had to take BECE before progressing to Senior Secondary School.
Government’s Rationale for the Delay
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the next seven months would be dedicated to preparatory activities. These include:
- Training teachers on how to implement the new curriculum.
- Developing teachers’ guides for effective lesson delivery.
- Setting up classrooms and upgrading learning facilities.
- Consulting with stakeholders to ensure widespread acceptance.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the revised curriculum would commence in the new academic session with the new student intake.
New Curriculum Highlights: 15 Vocational Skills Included
As part of the modernization efforts, the new curriculum integrates 15 vocational skills to equip students with practical knowledge. These include:
- Plumbing
- Robotics
- Beekeeping
- Hairstyling and Makeup
- Tiling and Floor Works
- Phone Repairs
- Solar Installation
- And more…
The government aims to bridge the gap between education and employability, ensuring that students graduate with both academic and practical skills to thrive in the job market.
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Abolition of BECE: What It Means for Students
Under the new system, students will transition seamlessly from Primary Six to Junior Secondary School and then to Senior Secondary School without the need for BECE. The minister explained that eliminating this examination would prevent dropouts and keep students in school until they acquire sufficient education to contribute meaningfully to society.
“If we do this, we will have a more educated population and fewer students dropping out after JSS Three,” Dr. Alausa noted.
The reform also aligns with the government’s objective of fostering a knowledge-driven economy, where education remains a powerful tool for national development.
Increased Education Funding Underway
The Ministry of Education is also making a case for President Bola Tinubu to increase the share of the Consolidated Revenue Fund allocated to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) from 2% to 5%. This additional funding will:
- Support Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE).
- Improve infrastructure and learning resources.
- Enhance teacher training and capacity-building programs.
What’s Next?
With the new curriculum set for implementation in the upcoming academic session, all eyes are on the government to ensure a seamless transition. Stakeholders, including parents, educators, and policymakers, will be monitoring the developments closely.
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Source: Guardian Nigeria
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