Nigeria Don Bring New School Curriculum, Introduce Trade Subjects

The Nigerian government don introduce new school curriculum wey go make all Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) pupils pick at least one trade subject to improve their practical skills. According to document wey Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) develop, the six practical skills wey pupils fit choose na Solar Photovoltaic installation and maintenance, Fashion design and garment making, Livestock farming, Beauty and cosmetology, Computer hardware and GSM repairs, and Horticulture and crop production. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, talk for 2025 International Conference of the African Curriculum Association hosted by the NERDC, say the new curriculum na ‘future-ready’ one wey fit meet 21st century skills demand. Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, a professor, Mr Alausa represent am, add say the basic education curriculum review don finish while the senior secondary one almost complete. The ministry spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, in another statement say the review come as result of collaboration with bodies like NERDC, the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), National Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other key stakeholders. The statement explain say the new framework balance subjects offerings with more practical learning. The ministry talk say at the primary level, pupils for primary1-3 go offer 9-10 subjects, while pupils for primary 4-6 go offer 10-12 subjects. Junior Secondary School go take 12-14 subjects, Senior Secondary students go do 8 to 9 subjects, and technical schools go do 9-11 subjects.

Mr Alausa talk say the new curriculum go start soon and e base on best design approach wey include different critical stakeholders. E explain say the curriculum structure follow competency and outcome model and use thematic, spiral-cyclical design. The new syllabus include digital literacy, robotics, artificial intelligence, new technologies, and skill-based subjects. E talk say the curriculum focus on learner-centred education and 21st-century transferable skills, plus values, national heritage and good citizenship. The curriculum reduce subject overload to align with global standards and improve learning outcome. According to NERDC document, Primary 1-3 pupils go study English Studies, Mathematics, Nigerian Languages (one), Basic Science, Physical and Health Education, Christian Religious Studies (for Christians), Islamic Studies (for Muslims), Nigerian History, Social and Citizenship Studies, Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), and optional Arabic Language. Primary 4-6 pupils go add Basic Science and Technology, Basic Digital Literacy, Pre-vocational studies, French (optional), and Arabic (optional). Junior Secondary School 1-3 go study English Studies, Mathematics, Nigerian Languages, Intermediate Science, Physical and Health Education, Digital Technologies, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Nigerian History, Social and Citizenship Studies, Cultural and Creative Arts, Business Studies, French (optional), Arabic (optional), and one trade subject. Senior Secondary students go do five compulsory subjects, English Language, General Mathematics, one trade subject, Citizenship and Heritage Studies, and Digital Technologies, plus subjects from their chosen specialization like Sciences, Humanities, or Business. Science students go study Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Further Mathematics, Physical Education, Health Education, Foods & Nutrition, Geography, and Technical Drawing. Humanities students go take Nigerian History, Government, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, one Nigerian Language, French, Arabic, Visual Arts, Music, Literature in English, Home Management, Catering Craft. Business students go study Accounting, Commerce, Marketing, and Economics.