Rep. Gwalebe said the re-introduction and adequate funding of trade and entrepreneurship subjects in senior secondary schools will not only reduce social vices by unemployment and out-of-school children but make them self-reliant.
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The House of Representatives has passed a motion urging the Federal Ministry of Education to revise and adequately fund the curriculum for the development and teaching of artisanship and vocational training in Senior Secondary Schools as well as other subjects.
The lawmakers also urged the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), in conjunction with the Secondary Schools Education Board of the Federal Ministry of Education, to monitor the evaluation and implementation of the trade and entrepreneurship curriculum and also employ professionals in the various fields of trade and entrepreneurship in our secondary schools.
They further urged State Governments to adequately fund the proper teaching of trade and artisanship in their senior secondary schools.
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The motion titled “Need to Re-Establish and Adequately Fund the practical and Professional Teaching of Artisanship and Vocational Training in Federal Government Colleges across the Country” was brought by Rep. Awalu Abdul Gwalabe.
Gwalebe noted that “Section 3 paragraph 38(2.5) of the National Policy on Education, 2013 outlined the curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools among which is the Trade and Entrepreneurship subject, adding that Section 4(a) of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council Act, 2004 mandate the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to promote the development of curricula at all levels of the educational system. In actualizing this mandate, it is saddled with the following objectives: a. Basic and senior secondary education curricula, (b). Trade and entrepreneurship curriculum.
Notes that the objective of senior secondary schools in Nigeria is to provide universal and equal access to quality secondary education that will ensure self-reliance, preparedness for further education, good citizenship and effective participation in democratic governance and teacher quality.”
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The lawmaker further lamented the increase in social vices in recent times amongst unemployed youth and out-of-school children
“Further notes that the society in recent times has been plagued with the menace of terrorism, kidnappings, political thuggery, drug abuse and trafficking, stealing, early marriages and numerous immoralities, and that these vices are often seen in frustrated unemployed youths and out of school children.”
He noted that in past years when trade subjects and artisanship were adequately funded and professionally taught in senior secondary schools, youths hardly indulged in these social vices because they were trained to be self-reliant and handy with trades and vocational studies.
Gwalebe submitted that the revival and adequate funding of trade and entrepreneurship subjects in senior secondary schools would reduce the menaces caused by incidences of out-of-school children.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in his ruling, mandated the Committee on Tertiary Education and Services (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
