Audio Attached
NAN-H-91
Entrepreneurship
By Okeoghene Oghenekaro
Abuja, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) says it has developed 34 subjects on compulsory trade/entrepreneurship for inclusion in the senior secondary school curriculum.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that the subjects would be compulsory for the students in that category.
According to Junaidu, the subjects are meant to empower the youth upon completing their education.
Cue in audio 1 (Junaidu)
“The whole structure of the senior secondary school was changed – English, Mathematics, Civic Education and one trade subject, that is, either hair plaiting, or GSM repairs or fishing are compulsory.
“This was all done so as to make Nigerians to be job creators rather than job seekers.
“We developed 34 of such kind of subjects.
“In the area of research we said okay the first graduates finished last year, let us see what the impact is.
“What have you achieved? Are people being dependent based on what they have studied in the senior secondary school?
“We have started the research; once we get funding we would continue. Curriculum by its nature is very dynamic.
“When we do this research we will now come to know what the lapses are that need to be corrected.’’
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On the council’s achievements, Junaidu said NERDC had produced electronic curriculum (e-curriculum) for both basic and secondary education.
The executive secretary further said that the council had successfully developed a book policy to control the administration of books in schools.
Cue in audio 2 (Junaidu)
“We have now completed the book policy document, tabled it before the National Council on Education.
“The next step is to now take it to the Federal Executive Council from where it would be sent for legislation.
“So NERDC would be like NAFDAC on drugs; NERDC on books.
“We do not like any kind of junk knowledge being passed to our educational institutions.
“Before a book is actually recommended to be used in secondary school, it is supposed to pass through the NERDC for quality assurance.”
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Junaidu said the council had begun to develop curriculum on financial literacy and human trafficking in partnership with relevant agencies.
“We did what we call ‘stand alone’ curriculum, which we are infusing into relevant subjects about the evils of human trafficking.’’ (NAN)
OKE/OSA/YEE
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim
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