The federal government has announced intentions to examine and improve the curriculum for basic schools across the country to foster children's creative abilities and prepare them for future innovation.
Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, announced on Tuesday during a panel discussion on National Child Well-being at the 29th Nigeria Economic Summit.
According to Mamman, the current numeracy and literacy abilities provided in primary schools are insufficient to educate Nigerian children for modern-day reality.
He also emphasized the need to teach soft skills such as critical thinking and practical skills at the elementary level to increase the quality of learning and foster children's critical thinking ability.
He said, “We are going to rejig the curriculum for basic schools. We want to strengthen some level of critical thinking at that level. The teaching has to be in a way to nurture their capability at that stage to think critically”.
The Minister also stated that his administration's priority will be basic education, which has previously been neglected.
“The government is developing policies to increase enrolment in basic schools, which are currently free but have low attendance and a high number of out-of-school children” he noted.
Mamman underlined the need for improved learning opportunities and facilities in primary schools, as well as the government's desire to work with governors who are in charge of finance to achieve this.
Mamman additionally stressed the country's teacher and classroom shortages, noting that there is a gap of 950,000 teachers and 20,000 classrooms.
He assured that the government is working to improve facilities as well as security around schools, especially in vulnerable areas, to ensure the safety of children.
Also speaking, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, emphasized the importance of health and education in human capital development.
He stated that the government is striving to improve school facilities and security, particularly in vulnerable areas, to ensure children's safety.
