By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Government, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, is collaborating with the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to review and update the school curriculum to align with emerging global trends.
This initiative was the focus of the three-day “2024 Network of Education Service Centre (NESC) Convocation’ held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja.
Participants from Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Jigawa, Ondo, Ekiti and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, attended the event. Themed “Repositioning Education Innovation and Service Centres to Address Trends and Curriculum Reform for Economic Growth in Nigeria,” the conference highlighted the urgent need for curriculum reform.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun, emphasized the necessity of aligning the education system with global standards.
Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, Ali-Balogun noted the importance of leveraging technology to bridge the digital divide, stressing that innovation and entrepreneurship are critical for societal solutions.
“Our nation faces challenges that require self-help and adaptation to meet the demands of the 21st-century economy. The service centre is essential in addressing these pressing issues,” he stated.
Ali-Balogun also highlighted the THEMES+ agenda, which integrates education and technology in Lagos State, underscoring the importance of teacher training and development.
Prof. Ismail Jinadu, executive secretary of NERDC, articulated the conference’s goal to develop the education sector in Nigeria. He explained that NESC serves as a forum for sharing ideas on educational material development and curriculum reform to foster economic growth.
Dr. Hakeem Shittu of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) reiterated the conference’s objective to raise children who will become job creators rather than job seekers.
Similarly, Dr. Neehmot, Director of the Education Research Centre (FCT) stressed the need for a curriculum update that withstands the test of time.
Overall, the convocation called for a collaborative effort to reposition the education sector and ensure it meets contemporary and future needs.
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Why I initiated reforms in TETFund –Echono
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Mr. Sunny Echono, has said due to the critical role the fund is playing in bridging funding gap and also providing critical infrastructure among other things in the nation’s tertiary institutions, it must not be allowed to become a victim of official corruption or mismanagement.
He said it was in the light of that that he instituted reforms that would place the agency in a better stead to deliver on its mandate.
He stated while being recognised as Outstanding Public Servant of the Year by Champion Newspapers Limited.
His words: ”Since we came on board, we have embarked on a number of reforms to further make the agency work better and deliver on its mandate to the good people of Nigeria. We are aware of the role TETFund plays in the provision of infrastructure and critical facilities in our higher institutions, as well as the training of academic and non-academic staff.
“ We are glad that testimonies from beneficiaries – schools and individuals, are positive and encouraging. However, because it is an agency that is known to be achieving a lot, and one that is responding to things in positive manner, we attract the attention of a lot of people.
“Of course, the magnitude of and the nature of reforms that have been implemented are also going to affect some people adversely. We expect that such people would not feel comfortable. But as a public servant, one requires to know that one must develop thick skin to baseless issues and move on and do the best you can.
According to him, the award by the newspaper would galvanise him and his team to work harder and make the fund record more feats.
On whether the agency is not being stressed by the increasing number of institutions that it has to cater for, Echono said TETFund was up to the task.
He added: “Yes, more public higher institutions are being set up that would need us, but we are up to the task. We have the arrangement to take care of the institutions. For instance, if a state has more than one university, we alternate our commitment among them. If we take care of A today, tomorrow, it will be the turn of B.”
Echono also gave the assurance that projects embarked upon by the fund would not be abandoned, as efforts would be made to complete them.
