Nigeria's Academic Curriculum Defective - Lekan Are

Nigeria’s academic curriculum is defective an it has led to limited teaching techniques and death of thinking abilities among youths – Lekan Are

The Chairman, Board of Directors, University Press Plc, Dr. Lekan Are, has said there are defects in the nation’s academic curriculum.

This, he said, had led to limited teaching techniques and death of thinking abilities among the youths.

In his welcome address at the 2014 Authors’ Forum of the UP PLC, held at the Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan on Wednesday, Are said that increasing unemployment in the country was the result of poor policy planning and implementation of the nation’s educational system, especially, science education.

Are also made reference to the standard of education in the US and Asia, which he said, was designed to test the ability of pupils and students to think independently and develop their initiatives.

Present at the event include Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, Prof. Niyi Osundare, Prof. Akinwumi Isola, Prof. Ayo Bamgbose, Dr. Anthony Akinola, and an author, Akin Bello.

Are said, “Science knowledge and its application are deployed to the creation of job and entrepreneurial opportunities in developed nations and this they achieve by fashioning a school system that teaches students actualisation of scientific processes for the purpose of creating wealth for individuals and collective benefit.

“The educational system in such countries revolves around inspiring young minds to undertake researches that explore the sustainable usage of resource. Science education is the bedrock upon which scientific and technological advancement depends. Science and technology education is also critical to the elimination of unemployment and realisation of sustainable youth empowerment in Nigeria,” said Are.

In the keynote paper delivered by the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Katsina, Prof. Mammam Wasagu, rising unemployment was blamed on the disconnect between learning and societal needs.

Wasagu said, “The Nigerian educational curriculum teaches more of theory and neglect practical. Science is knowledge through practical and it is sad that many people have the wrong notion of what science is all about. It sets limit to errors and it must also be noted that all facts in science are tentative.

“They change with more researches and findings. It is also unfortunate that Nigerian teachers do not want to be tested. Many of them are not ready for the job. In the US, there is what is called ‘New Generation Science Standard’ which is a policy designed to aid learning and move away from the conservative technique. The missing link in Nigeria today is the practical experience and understanding of what the society needs.” (Punch)