NAN-H-37
Review
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Oct. 28, 2017 (NAN) Educationalists on Saturday called for a review of the nation’s education curriculum, saying that it was obsolete and does not conform with the 21st century learning.
The experts made the call at the Inaugural Ceremony of Arc Lights Foundation Teachers Academy, held at the Lagos City Hall, Lagos Island.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Arc Lights Foundation Teachers Academy was established to collaborate and train teachers, school proprietors and evaluators to reform education system in the country.
The theme of the programme was: “Teaching for Transformation.
The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, in her address, said that the present curriculum in the education system cannot match the 21st century realities.
“The present curriculum cannot in any way match the 21st century realities. Education has moved from knowledge based to skill based and we are still running the old order.
“For us to forge ahead, it’s high time we review the curriculum in operation now. Those old teaching methods need to give way for the new order.
“We have a long way to go in getting ready our children for the future because education has moved on from where we think it is. We need to move to the next level.
“At a conference in Abuja, where all the stakeholders in education sector were gathered we found out that all our syllabuses from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions are obsolete,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Incubator Africa, Mrs Alero Ayida-Otobo called for a change in the education system in Nigeria.
According to her, we need a transformation from all the players, the government, the administrators, teachers, parents and the children as well.
“Our curriculum must be made to show the reality of 21st century or else our products will not be able to cope with what is obtainable in the labour markets.
“We need a future ready curriculum for the future ready children. There is lots of focus on money being spent on education without the real change.
“This is because we are treating the symptoms and not the real problem. The real problem is the obsolete system of education we are practicing here in Nigeria,” she said.
Ayida-Otobo said that the change the education system needs should be self-driven by all the players in the sector, adding that education could be improved on if the players are ready for change.
“A teacher that cannot operate a computer? We need new looks, ways and mindset in the teachers of this age. They are the foundation of anything called learning any if they fail, we all crumble.
“Teachers must have good character, vision, commitment and have integrity. They must also be competent and collaborate among each other they should get knowledge and be disciplined, she said.
In her welcome address, the proprietor of Arc Lights Foundation Teachers Academy, Mrs Abisola Obasanya stressed the need for the training college to address some rot in educational system.
“This foundation means a lot to the educational system in Nigeria, we need to address some issues in the system before it collapse right in our eyes.
“Everyone in Nigeria knows that there is a problem with our educational system, which I think can be address through forum like this.
“We need to train and retrain our teachers the new vista in teaching profession. Our vision is to reform the education sector and to transform Nigerian teachers.
“We also seek to inspire, empower and refine Nigerian educators and to equip them with ethics and professionalism through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme”, she said.
NAN reports that highlights of the event includes unveiling of the Arc Lights Foundation Teachers Academy, session talks by education experts, award of scholarships and matriculation of students. (NAN)
KOJE/BOLA/AFA
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Felix Ajide