The Anambra State Government has rolled out a new Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum that integrates 15 practical entrepreneurial subjects, marking a major shift toward skills-based education aimed at preparing students for the modern economy.
The initiative, unveiled in Awka, introduces hands-on courses such as solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture and processing, plumbing, tiling, POP installation, event management, bakery, hairstyling, make-up, interior design, CCTV and intercom installation, digital literacy, information technology and robotics.
Speaking at the launch, the Chairperson of the Post-Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu, said the reform was designed to move education beyond theory and examinations by equipping students with marketable, real-world skills from an early age.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, education must go beyond theory to foster practical skills, creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset.
“The goal is to prepare learners not just to seek jobs, but to create value, generate employment and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of Anambra State and Nigeria,” Ikediugwu said.
She explained that the entrepreneurial subjects are practical-based and intended to transform students into job and value creators, noting that traditional academic instruction alone is no longer sufficient to prepare young people for future economic realities.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Cyril Nwuche of Nnamdi Azikiwe University described the programme as a forward-looking step that positions Anambra on a path toward economic and social transformation.
Dynamic global environment
He stressed the need for schools to embrace skill-based learning, explaining that entrepreneurship clubs and practical exposure are essential for preparing students to thrive in a dynamic global environment.
The curriculum reform aligns with Governor Charles Soludo’s broader education agenda, which includes the recruitment of over 3,000 teachers, the upgrade of dozens of school laboratories with STEM equipment, and the extension of free education up to Senior Secondary School level.
By formalising vocational and technical skills within the school system, the state government aims to reduce dropout rates, provide structured certification for trades often learned informally, and empower young people with the tools to be economically self-reliant.
Part of achievement of the state governor is the deployment of specialised instructors.
Officials say the programme represents a decisive step toward future-ready education in Anambra State.
Lateefah Ibrahim