Okebukola rates curriculum, teacher training method in Nigeria low

Prof. Peter Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary National Universities Commission (NUC), says the education curriculum and method of training teachers in Nigeria is defective and not in tune with modern trends in teaching.

Okebukola said this in his keynote address at a Colloquium on Education in Nigeria organized by Government Secondary School, Owerri, Old Boys Association on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme of the colloquium is “A Review of the Education Sector in Nigeria and Recommendations for Sector-Wide Reforms.’’

Okebukola, who also identified other challenges confronting the education sector, said that teachers’ preparation had been worsened by the Sandwich programmes.

The former NUC boss said that the curriculum was cumbersome; learning facilities lacking, while students had become indolent.

“The teacher factor in education is critical; the teacher has very low content, not deep in his subject.

“I propose that education, as a degree programme be for five years; you concentrate on your core subject for four years and on the fifth year, you concentrate on education — teaching skills.

“Teachers must continue to upgrade themselves and run regular competence test; they should also have more time for teaching practice.

“Students are no longer as diligent as they used to be; they do not read as they used to; they are now more inclined to social media.’’

He said that the curriculum was laden with too many topics — “junks’’ which are not relevant to modern development.

The professor of Science Education said that there was little room for projects and field work; opportunities for experiment and developing the skills of a scientist.

According to him, Nigeria’s education curriculum needs to be trimmed to lay emphasis on 21st century skills.

Okebukola also recommended the collapse of all higher education regulatory bodies into a Tertiary Education Council, to streamline operations and ensure fluency.

Earlier in his address, Dr Joseph Nnorom, the association’s branch Chairman, said the colloquium was organized to mark the 80th anniversary of the school.

He said that over the years, the Old Boys Association had given a lot to its alma mater but decided to give back to the larger society this year, hence the colloquium.

“We decided to do this because we recognise that it is our school and in particular, our education in general that laid the foundation for whatever we have achieved today.

“So, in a way, we want to give back something of enduring value to the society that nurtured us.

“Without sound education, we and many generations to come are doomed; it is our fervent hope that recommendations that will have far reaching effects on the future of our society are articulated in this colloquium,’’ Nnorom said.

He listed some of the association’s contributions to the school to include building of library, classrooms, administration blocks and renovation of dormitories.

Nnorom listed other contributions to include the sinking of boreholes, installation of generators and provision of Information Communication Technology equipment.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, said the colloquium showed a burning desire to ensure that high quality education was sustained.

Represented by Chief Chuka Oboli, Achebe said that sound education was needed to engender an orderly society.

He commended the Old Boys Association and called on other alumni associations nationwide to emulate it.