New basic school curriculum begins nationwide Jan 2025 – Minister

New basic school curriculum begins nationwide Jan 2025 – Minister

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has announced that Nigeria’s new basic school curriculum will be implemented across the country starting in January 2025.

The new curriculum is part of a broader plan to ensure that students acquire practical skills in addition to academic knowledge.

Prof. Mamman made this known during a meeting with educational stakeholders in Abuja on Monday. He emphasized that the new curriculum would require all pupils in basic schools to learn at least two skills, aligning with the government’s goal of equipping students for productive futures.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, had earlier disclosed plans for the new curriculum on October 9, and Mamman provided further details on the rollout, stating that the new system would apply to both public and private primary schools.

“The whole idea is that by the time children finish school, they should have at least two skills,” Mamman said. “This will enable students to lead more productive lives. The foundation of this curriculum is the National Skills Framework, which has already been approved.”

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He added that the curriculum would be mandatory for all schools, both public and private, with no exceptions. “This is already determined. It doesn’t require anybody’s consent, and no institution can deviate from it,” the minister stated.

While basic schools will begin adopting the new curriculum in January 2025, an updated version for secondary schools is expected to be ready by September 2025. Mamman clarified that schools would need time to fully implement the changes, noting that schools will require new equipment and resources to support the curriculum.

“We do not expect comprehensive, full implementation from January,” he said. “There’s a lot of preparation that has to take place, including acquiring new equipment and materials that schools will need.”

To support the transition, the education ministry is working on ensuring teachers are well-prepared to deliver the new curriculum. Mamman also stated that further meetings with private school stakeholders would take place to ensure the successful rollout of the new system.

The announcement marks a significant step in the government’s plan to modernize Nigeria’s educational framework, focusing on practical skills development to improve students’ readiness for future challenges.

New basic school curriculum begins nationwide Jan 2025 – Minister