The Minister of Education recently announced that a new curriculum for basic schools will come into effect in January 2025. The new curriculum aims to equip pupils with at least two skills, such as plumbing, tiling, hairstyling, and solar installation. The core idea is to ensure that students graduate with practical skills for a productive future.
The curriculum is based on the National Skills Framework and will be mandatory for all public and private schools in Nigeria. Plans are in place to have the updated curriculum for secondary schools ready by September 2025. The Minister emphasized the need for teachers to be adequately prepared for the curriculum’s successful implementation.
The introduction of the new curriculum is expected to make formal education more appealing to parents and students. By offering practical skills alongside academic knowledge, the curriculum aims to address the issue of graduates struggling to find employment or start their own ventures.
The curriculum includes subjects under vocational and entrepreneurship studies, exposing pupils to trades in various sectors like building and construction, hospitality, services, and agriculture. Additionally, digital literacy will be integrated as a core subject to equip students with essential IT skills.
Overall, the new curriculum is designed to revolutionize the education system in Nigeria by providing students with a well-rounded education that combines academic knowledge with practical skills for a more promising future.