The Minister of Education, Prof. Maman Tahir, has revealed that lack of skills has continued to serve as impediment in the lives of Nigerian students and has continued to lead them back into illiteracy.
He said for proper planning to be done in the sector, particularly from a basic level, it has become imperative to build a reliable and authentic database that will promote skills acquisition and development and reduce to the nearest minimum, the number of out of school children.
Tahir who revealed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the quarterly citizens and stakeholders engagement, said there’s a learning crisis, with students not being able to think.
The engagement was aimed at creating awareness of the Federal Ministry of Education’s inclusive development efforts. It will also promote mutual understanding with stakeholders and citizens; build and sustain public trust; and improve transparency and accountability in the sector.
The minister assured that by the time the 13 pillars of the education sector roadmap is unfolded and well implemented, Nigerians will experience a different type of education system.
He said: “There’s is the need to build a reliable and authentic data base for the sector, promote skills acquisition and development and reduce by a great percentage the number of out of school children.
“The positions of our schools has also contributed to the learning crisis. Our students are receding into illiteracy, thereby we keep having students who cannot think and collaborate among themselves and have digital facilities. That is why we have many out of school children.
“We want to introduce skills at the level of digitization starting from primary schools, and the only way to address the learning crisis is to apply skills. We need to raise children that will be able to think. Education has to start by doing. We have evidence to show that this thing is doable.
“Even enrolment has substantially improved where skills are available. By the time the processes are completed, you will find a different kind of education system. Data is critical and it is essential.”
In the same vein, the Minister of State, Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, said there was the need for a strong team approach in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the nation’s education sector.
He said: “Today provides us with opportunities to critically examine the progress so far in the implementation of 23 ministerial deliverables apportioned to the education sector by Mr. President.
“The ministry in collaboration with national and international partners and with support from other ministries has passionately embarked on the implementation of these deliverables.
“To kick-start the implementation of the president’s mandate, the ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders developed a four-year strategic plan captioned ‘Education for Renewed Hope: Nigeria Education Sector Roadmap’ 2024 2027.
“The Roadmap contains eight focus areas and 13 pillars geared towards implementing the 23 ministerial deliverables.”
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
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