Education
School Curriculum: Stakeholders brainstorm on review, implementation
Stakeholders in education sector on Tuesday brainstormed on opinions/inputs suggested in the design of the architectural framework for the review of the Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC) in Nigeria.
The stakeholders met at a ‘Workshop for the Validation of the Senior Secondary Education Curriculum Review Framework and Guidelines’, organised by the Nigerians Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
The aim is to bring ideas to make Nigerian system of education to be part of the emerging innovations, life-long learning system which could be infused into the curriculum to place the country among the best nation of the world.
Speaking, Prof.
Ismail Junaidu, Executive Secretary NERDC, said the workshop was another stage in NERDC’s efforts to democratise the curriculum development process, anchored on the philosophy of having all stakeholders who had contributed to school programmes.“This validation workshop is expected to take a holistic look at the guidelines with the intent of providing technically sound suggestions for improvement and adoption, afterwards.
“Specifically in this meeting, you will be expected to bring to bare your experiences and expertise on issues relating to the proposed curriculum structure and the implementation framework, ” he said.
According to Junaidu, NERDC in previous national dialogues had collated and harmonised the views, inputs and suggestions of stakeholders including students to come up with the guidelines and framework for the review of the SSEC.
He said the process had provided a clear roadmap for the review of the SSEC, adding that the development of the guidelines followed through several stages which involved curriculum experts, teachers and policy makers.
Also, Dr Iyela Ajayi, Executive Secretary, National Senior Secondary Education Commission, commended the NERDC management for the workshop, saying that it came at the right time since curriculum was subject to review periodically to meet best global practice.
Ajayi, however noted that having an excellent curriculum was one thing, but its implementation was remained the most important focus.
“Therefore, as we embark on the task of reviewing the curriculum periodically, we must also focus on the important issue of curriculum implementation. “
In her contributions, Mrs Kadija Liman, Director Educational Management, Ministry of Education, expressed joy over the move by the NERDC to ensure that the nation’s school curriculum was restructured to meet the present global standards.
Liman said NERDC’s action on new curriculum had taken away some of the burden on the curriculum from the ministry, adding that the ministry would do all it could to ensure its implementation.
Mr David Akoji, Director Special Duties/States Operations, National Orientation Agency in his contributions placed emphasis on inclusion of value re-orientation in the curriculum to inculcate value system in the lives of the younger generation.
Akoji, however, suggested the need for Nigerian government to emulate other countries of the world with best education practices which had yielded positive results in the lives of their younger generation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the workshop drew the present of representatives from ICPC, CBN, UNICEF, FIRS, Professors from different fields and other critical stakeholders in education.
Education
Prioritise Teachers’ Welfare, NUT President Urges Governors
President of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba, on Tuesday, called on state governors to prioritise the welfare of teachers to enhance quality education at the grassroots.Amba made the call at the Adamawa NUT Delegates’ Conference, with the theme: “Education Challenge in an Economy of Uncertainty: Effect of Teachers,” in Yola.
While appreciating Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for the immediate implementation of N70,000 minimum wage, he called on other governor, who had yet to implement it in their states to do so. The NUT president advised members to be productive and strive to undergo training and retraining to further enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.He called on delegates to elect leaders who would lead well and be bold enough to protect the interests of teachers.Amba also appealed to the governor to implement the minimum wage for primary school teachers and local government workers.In his address, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adamawa chapter, Emmanuel Fashe, decried what he called over-taxation of the civil servants in the state, following the implementation of the new minimum wage.Fashe commended the state government for the recent employment of qualified teachers, calling for employment of more, especially primary school teachers.He urged the delegates to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote wisely.The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Education Reform, Prof. Sofema Geoffrey, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of education in the state.According to him, NUT has a lot to showcase in term of support to government to ensuring quality education in the state.Fintri urged the delegates to conduct a peaceful conference.He assured that other issues at the forum, especially the ones on over-taxation, would be put into consideration. (NAN)Education
Over 40 Students Bag First Class at FUL
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
No fewer than 41 Students out of the total number of 1,863 bagged first class degree at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Lokoja
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed this in his speech at the 8th convocation ceremony held at the Felele main Campus of the institution in Lokoja at the weekend.
He said that 461 students were conferred with Second Class Upper and 974 got Second Class Lower while 384 students bagged Third Class and 3 students were awarded Pass Degree.
Professor Olayemi Akinwumi also announced that a total of 117 students were awarded Diploma and 216 with postgraduate degrees: Ph.
D, Master’s and PGD.He said that within his short period in office, the university had embarked on a landmark Collaboration with Rural Electrification Agency to provide reliable power generation via renewal energy solutions such as installation of campus-wide street lighting and establishment of renewable energy training centres.
The Vice Chancellor also announced that Federal University, Lokoja under his administration established the first-ever Zoo and Conservatory in Kogi state to serve not only as a significant hub for research and education but also provide a unique platform for community engagement and environmental conservation.
“It is worth noting that prior to my assumption of office in 2021, only two inaugural lectures were held at our university but now I am proud to share that we have successfully conducted a total of twenty-two inaugural lectures since then.
“In our commitment to fostering engagement with critical societal issues, we have prioritised public lectures as the cornerstone of our mission at FUL. Since our last convocation, we have successfully organized six impactful public lectures that have addressed a variety of important topics” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi further disclosed.
Education
10 Students Bag First Class in Kings University
No fewer than 10 graduates of Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun, bagged first class degree as the institution held its 5th and 6th convocation ceremony on Friday.
Prof. Adenike Kuku, the Vice-Chancellor of the university in her remarks, said that the convocation was for thr 2023/2024 set christened “Royal and Elites Sets”.
Kuku said that the 2023 sets comprises of 37 graduands, while the 2024 sets had 66 graduands.
According to her, Bright Ayomide of 2023 sets had the highest CGPA of 4.
65 in Science/ Information Systems and Technology /Computer Science.She said that in the 2024 sets, Utibe-Ubon Emmanuella of the department of political science/humanities, management and social sciences was the best overall best student with 4.
69 CGPA.Kuku urged the graduands to put the knowledge acquired from the university into practice and impact the society positively through diligence and handwork.
Mr John Obaro, the CEO/Group Managing Director, System Specs Limited, who delivered the convocation lecture, urged the graduands to embrace digital technology to excel in their areas of endeavours.
Obaro spoke on the theme “Navigating the Digital Era: Embracing Creativity and Unlocking the Boundaries of Technology”.
He also urged them to be creative, unique and find areas of solving problems, which the world was facing through technology and digital innovations.
“Now is the time for you to build on the foundations laid by past innovations.
“Just as the wheel, writing, and the internet transformed society, the innovations of yesterday become the standard features of today.
“As you stand on the threshold of this new era, it is your moment to unleash your own innovations”, he said.
He also urged the graduands to develop digital skills, foster growth mindset, exploit transformative technologies and be value driven.
Obaro was, thereafter, conferred with Honourary Doctor of Science.
In his remarks, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Chancellor and Founder of the university, urged the graduands to be creative and explore areas of entrepreneurship to stand out.
Ashimolowo, the senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) also urged them to be solution providers.
According to him, the notion of chasing one’s passion is no longer reasonable in a world where employers are looking for problem solvers.
Ashimolowo said that in Nigeria and the world over, there were serious graduates who were unemployed.
He charged them to pursue self development, be creative, original and be sensitive to problem solving. (NAN)