Speeches

Presentation Of The New 9–Year Basic Education Curriculum

Apr 4, 2008 - It is indeed my pleasure and joy to welcome the distinguished delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education led by the Hon. Minister of State for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Jubril Dukku to this occasion marking the formal presentation of the New 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum. I equally wish to recognize present at this august gathering the executive secretaries of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development (NERDC) to today’s South West Edition of the formal presentation of the new 9-year basic education curriculum.

The choice of Lagos as the venue for this all important development in the educational sector is quite appropriate, because of the historical significance of Lagos as the cradle of western education in Nigeria besides its geographical and economic congruency to the South West region of Nigeria.

Quite significantly again, a programme such as the new 9-year basic education curriculum launching would require for its success the cooperation and acceptance of the society for which the curriculum is designed. Therefore there is no better place to beam this message to the target audience and the society better than the seat of the media. The media would be required to disseminate and illuminate the essential and important highlights of the new curriculum and create necessary awareness of it to the society at large and to all the stakeholders carrying the message of the new policy thrust in education.

I understand that the new 9-year basic education curriculum is in line with the Universal Basic Education Programme (UBE) unlike the former 6-3-3-4 which allowed for a break after the first six years of primary education, in the new arrangement, the first nine years of schooling is now continuous without a break, compulsory and free for every pupil. The unbroken educational arrangement is designed to ensure that every pupil receives a formal basic education that would prepare him/her to face the challenges of life better.

The Universal Basic Education would also encourage better pupils’ enrolment and discourage frequent drop out of pupils from school before attaining the basic knowledge that would have prepared them adequately for life. It is a veritable way of raising our literacy level.

An educated society is an easier society to govern and manage because of the awareness of the citizens of their rights and obligations to and from the society. The fact that it is compulsory would encourage the full cooperation of parents and guardians towards the success of the programme. The education curriculum is impelled by the changing circumstances of our society. The basic education of the child must be widened to cater for the learner and societal needs, aspiration, culture and the environment. In an attempt to meet these various needs, specific experiences are thought of, planned, designed and packaged to be carried out.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is gratifying and I am happy to note that the new 9-year basic education curriculum is emphasizing and including the teaching of civics as a subject, this is quite significant because of the moral decadence particularly among our youths. Some of us who are older would remember that it used to exist as a subject that was seriously taught. The study of civics just like Religious Instructions in schools helps the child to develop the proper value system in order to be a better citizen. It teaches morals and good citizenship, the duties and expectations of all law abiding citizens and it is better taught when the individuals are most impressionable at a tender age when they are just starting schooling and life. Once a proper foundation of a building is laid, the structure would not collapse.

Education is the key to other sectors, because that is the crucible of the personnel that will man all other sectors, be it economy, technology and political. To that extent, the new 9-year basic education curriculum, if properly implemented would assist in the realization of the objectives of the National Economic Empowerment Strategy (NEEDS) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Ladies and Gentlemen, notwithstanding, the structure and profile of any policy, its ultimate success depends to a large on the cooperation, commitment and dedication of the workforce, the human personnel that would translate the concept and dream of policy formulators into reality. And as important stakeholders and the like staff in the education sub-sector, the necessary training would be accordingly given to our teachers to ensure adequate preparation for the success of the programme.

I therefore wish to enjoin our teachers that teaching is a calling for God-fearing and dedicated people who are alive to their vital role in moulding the society and determining the future through the teaching and upbringing of the students and pupils placed in their care. The reward of teachers is no longer in heaven. I wish to assure you that the welfare of teaches would continue to be of paramount importance to me as a stakeholder in the educational sector.

With the presentation of this new 9-year basic education curriculum, I can assure you that we are ready to explore all it takes to ensure the successful implementation especially since we know that the success in the education sector would help us in the accomplishment of our 10-point Agenda in Lagos State. However, I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),
Abuja to assist the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to cater for the many challenges peculiar to Lagos State which has assumed the status of a mega city in the Federation.

I would like to commend the Executive Secretaries of Universal Basic Education Curriculum (UBEC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and all relevant agencies involved in the compilation of this new curriculum. I also commend the Honourable Minister of Education and the Honourable Minister of State for Education for their efforts in the design of this document.

Once again, I welcome the Honourable Minister of State for Education, the Executive Secretaries of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as well as the Chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from the South West zone to Lagos State.

I wish you a very pleasant and memorable stay while in Lagos State.

Thank you and God bless.

“Eko O Ni Baje O!”

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN),
Executive Governor,
Lagos State