The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Education to, as a matter of urgency, considering the limited time frame; to rescind the implementation of Its
Curriculum Review Policy to give students a fair chance of success at examinations.
The resolution followed the adoption of a “Motion Of Urgent Public Importance Urging The Federal Ministry Of Education To Rescind Its curriculum Review Policy”, sponsored Mr. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji.
Leading debate on the motion, Mr. Oforji said that sequel to a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education, key subjects, including but not limited to Computer Studies, Data Processing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Photography and Civic Education, have been removed from the WAEC Portal.
” Trade subjects like Data Processing are among the most popular and widely offered subjects in many schools across the country because of its market relevance and students’ interest.
Computer Studies is almost universally offered and is fundamental to modern digital literacy, making its sudden removal counterproductive at a time the world is going digital. Similarly, Civic Education which was previously a compulsory subject in all secondary schools, thus, students have been mandated to study it for two years.
Why should we remove Civic Education from our curriculum when the bulk of what the National Orientation Agency does is enlighten citizens about their civic duties as good citizens of Nigeria?
” Further notes that it is worrisome that at a time when the world is going digital especially in the educational sector and Nigeria is trying to catch up that you remove a fundamental subject like Computer Science. Most of our Examination Bodies are adopting the CBT model for the conduct of their examinations.
How will such students learn the basics. Students in SS3 have been diligently studying these removed subjects (Data Processing, Computer Studies, Civic Education, etc) from SS1.
” Worried that the removal of three or more foundational subjects from the mandatory eight subjects, limits the students, and violates the minimum requirement for the examination which is eight, they will now be left with five subjects.
” Also worried that with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), barely four months away, it is academically impossible for students to select and adequately prepare for new unstudied subjects to meet the required eight subjects (at least three new subjects).
” Further worried that thousands of students across the federation preparing for the 2026 WASSCE to be conducted by WAEC are in distress and confusion as we speak. It is imperative that students in SS3, who are four months away from their examinations be allowed to write the WASSCE in subjects they have been studying since SS1, the implementation of this new curriculum should be rescinded.
” Saddened that the academic future of thousands of students across the country is in jeopardy and by inference their rights are being tampered with.
We as a parliament must speak up for these students and uphold the wordings of section 18 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which is under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which provides that Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels”. The motion said.
Considering the sensitivity and limited time, the House is therefore to set up an Ad-Hoc committee to be set up to ensure compliance to the resolution.