The Federal Government has announced a complete overhaul of the national curriculum for primary, secondary, and technical schools. The new framework is designed to reduce the number of subjects students are required to take, improve learning outcomes, and provide skills that are relevant in today’s world.
The announcement was made by Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, on behalf of Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education. Professor Ahmad explained that the review was a collaborative effort with key educational agencies across the country.
Key Changes to the Curriculum
The new curriculum focuses on streamlining subjects to allow for deeper and more effective learning. Here are the specific changes:
- Primary 1-3: Students will now take 9 to 10 subjects.
- Primary 4-6: Students will take 10 to 12 subjects.
- Junior Secondary School: Students will take 12 to 14 subjects.
- Senior Secondary School: Students will take 8 to 9 subjects.
- Technical Schools: Students will take 9 to 11 subjects.
Professor Ahmad stated that the goal of the revision is to create more learning time and deliver an education that is both practical and prepares students for the future. The new curriculum will be implemented nationwide with close monitoring to ensure a smooth transition.
This marks a major educational reform, as the last comprehensive review of the secondary school curriculum was in 2011. While the government has recently made other reform efforts, such as introducing new trades in basic education and discussing a new 12-year education model, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has argued that poor funding, not curriculum structure, is the real problem facing the education sector.
