Curriculum crisis impedes Nigerian education system – Counsellor

By Yinusa Ishola

Education
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Feb. 25, 2020 (NAN) Mr John Aransiola, an Education Counsellor with Irepodun Local Government Education Authority, in Kwara, says curriculum crisis is hindering the growth of the country’s education sector.

Aransiola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Omu-Aran that the present 6-3-3-4 and 9-3-4 systems of education had been watered down and already faced with poor implementation.

According to him, there is not much difference from the past systems of education.

Aransiola said the present curriculum was too overloaded with 13 subjects at the Lowest Basic, 14 Middle Basic, 16 at the JSS levels and over 20 Electives at the SSS level.

“Too bookish curriculum, devoid of any seriousness about science and technology.

“Also, without the necessary resources to teach them and other teaching aids, leading to poor foundation in the education system.

“The 2004 education policy stipulates that JSS students will be streamed into Senior Secondary Schools, technical colleges, out-of-school vocational training and apprenticeship.

“This is not the case presently with our education system,” he said.

Aransiola said the present curriculum lacked the necessary resources for teaching science and technology including teachers education.

“No sooner was the policy enacted that the government began to close some technical schools while those left became shadows of their past.

“Teachers sent abroad for training came back to find no workshop to work with and with many unemployed due to change of government and priorities,” he said.

Aransiola lamented that formal education had been progressively shed of informal education unlike what was obtained in the past.

He said the curriculum was also being poorly handled by regulators as it laid more emphasis on how many credits students had at a given period not minding how they obtained such credits.

“This is contrary to the good old days, whereas the two work in synergy to produce good results and responsible students.

“The curriculum is also plagued by crisis of teachers’ quantity and quality as teachers till date remains a major bridge between the curriculum and the students.

“His or her knowledge, skills, attitude to work, and life are the tools he or she brings into the school to make teaching and learning more effective,” Aransiola said. (NAN)
ISHO/BOLA/MST

Edited Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola