The Lagos State Government through the ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is collaborating with Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to review school curriculum that will meet up with emerging trends.
At a three-day conference tagged, ‘2024 Network of Education Service Centre (NESC) Convocation, participants are of the opinion that the process is long overdue.
The event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja in Lagos had participating states from Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Jigawa, Ondo, Ekiti and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The theme for this year’s convocation is ‘Repositioning Education Innovation and Service Centres to address Trends and on Curriculum Reform for Economic Growth in Nigeria.’
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun said “it is necessary to look through the reformation of the education system by a way of adjusting its curriculum to align with the global standards.”
Ali-Balogun who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Abayomi Abolaji explained that leveraging technological information to bridge the gap in the digital divide is a necessity, stressing that innovation and entrepreneurship must be developed to provide solutions for the society.
He said; “Our nation faces challenges on self-help. It must adapt to reform to meet 21st century economy. The service centre is essential in addressing the pressing issues.
“In Lagos State we do not joke with technology in education and that is why the THEMES+ agenda on education and technology are together. Teachers training and development must be enhanced. We can make the difference and create a better future for our youth.
Ali-Balogun maintained that innovation and entrepreneurship must be developed to provide solutions for the society while also emphasising on collaboration to further reposition the education sector.
Charting a course
The Executive Secretary NERDC, Professor Ismail Jinadu said that the whole essence of the conference was to chart a course towards development of education sector in Nigeria.
Jinadu said NESC whose membership include all state universities, polytechnics and other professional bodies in the country serves as a forum to share ideas on the development and use of educational materials, while noting that the body also serves to review subjects through reform of school curriculum to engender economic growth.
The representative of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board LASUBEB, Dr Hakeem Shittu said; “the conference is genuinely designed to to habe participants fashion out ways to create paths that will raise children who will create jobs not job seekers.”
The Director Education Research Centre, FCT, Dr Neehmot also corroborated the thought that the issue of reform has been a source of worry, stressing the need to update the school curriculum that can stand a test of time.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
