Nigeria revises basic education curriculum

New subjects were added to the curriculum.

The Nigerian Education Research and Development Council, NERDC, on Monday in Abuja, launched the revised nine-year Basic Education Curriculum, BEC. It also kicked off the training of school teachers on the use of the Teachers’ Guide for the implementation of the curriculum.

The BEC currently comprises 20 subjects, including new subjects such as Basic Science, Basic Technology and Computer Studies/IT.

Out of the 20 subjects, students currently take a maximum of 11 in primary school and a maximum of 15 in junior secondary school, JSS. The implementation of the revised subjects will commence in September.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary, NERDC, Godswill Obioma, said that the school curriculum was revised to improve the quality of education in Nigeria.

Mr. Obioma stated that on assessment of the previous curriculum, it was noted that there was an overload of subjects offered to pupils and students. He said that the Federal Government ordered NERDC to revise the nine-year BEC with the aim of reducing the number of subjects.

“After the assessment, we discovered that the subjects offered were many. We presented the issue at the Presidential summit on Restoration, Reclamation and Sustenance of the quality of Education in Nigeria. NERDC was directed by the Federal Government to revise the nine-year BEC in terms of its subject, between six and 13, and it should then be in line with the global best practices, taking in account local needs,” Mr. Obioma explained.

He also explained that a Teacher’s Guide for each subject has been created to enhance effective delivery.

“In order to ensure uniform implementation, the NERDC has developed a Teacher’s Guide for each subject listed. The Teacher’s Guides are intended to enhance the effective delivery as well as eliminate ambiguities in the teaching of the curriculum,” he said.

Mr. Obioma noted that for quality education to be achieved, the school curriculum should be regularly renewed, enriched and updated in order to support development.

He also disclosed that the implementation of the revised BEC had been approved by the Nigeria Examination Council, NEC, to commence in September 2014, beginning from Primary 1 and JSS 1, which will gradually phase out the old BEC.

He advised that the implementation strategy be strictly adhered to so as to avoid irregular implementation.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije, at the event, assured NERDC of the full support of the National Assembly for the project.

The revised BEC comprises of the following subjects:

1. English Studies

2. Mathematics

3. Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA)

4. One Nigerian Language

5. Basic Science and Technology (BST)

i. Basic Science

ii. Basic Technology

iii. Physical &Health

iv. Information Technology

6. Pre- Vocational Studies, PVS – to be introduced from Primary 4

i. Home Economics

ii. Agriculture

7. Religion and National Values, RNV

i. Christian Religious Studies

ii. Islamic Studies,

iii. Social Studies,

iv. Civic Education

v. security Education

8. French – to be introduced from Primary 4

9. Business Studies/Entrepreneurship, BSE – to be introduced in JSS1)

10. Arabic (Optional)

Primary 1-3 would offer a minimum of six and a maximum of seven subjects with Arabic, optional but compulsory for those taking Islamic Studies from Primary 1-6 and JSS 1-3.

Primary 4-6 will offer a minimum of eight and a maximum of nine subjects while JSS 1-3, a minimum of nine subjects and a maximum of 10 subjects.