The need for a national policy on education came about as a result of the 1996 National Curriculum Conference which was attended by a cross-section of Nigerians. The conference was a culmination of expressions of general dissatisfaction with the existing education system which had become irrelevant to national needs, aspirations and goals.
After the National Curriculum Conference, a seminar of expert drawn from a wide range of interest groups within Nigeria was convened in 1973. The seminar, which includes voluntary agencies and external bodies, deliberated on what a national policy on education for an independent and sovereign Nigeria should be.
The outcome of the seminar was a draft document which, after due comments were received from the states and other interest groups, led to the final document, the National Policy on Education, first published in 1997.
Since the published of the first edition in 1997, the 2nd and 3rd editions were published in 1981 and 1998 respectively in keeping with the dynamics of social change and the demands on education. This 4th edition was necessitated by some policy innovations and changes, and the need to update the 3rd edition (1998) accordingly. These innovations and changes include:
(a) The lifting of the suspension order on Open and Distance Learning Programme by Government,
(b) revitalization and expansion of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC);
(c) establishment of Teachers Registration Council (TRC);
(d) introduction of information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the school curriculum as a second official language;
(e) prescription of French Language in the primary and secondary schools, curriculum as second official language;
(f) prescription of minimum number of subject to taken by SSCE candidates;
(g) the integration of basic education in the programme of Quaranic schools, to ensure equal opportunity and effective implementation of UBE;
(h) repositioning science, technical and vocational education in the scheme of national educational for optimum performance; and
(i) general contextual change to reflect the state of professional practice in education, among others
Government’s intention was that the far-reaching provisions set out in all sections of the policy should transform all aspects of the nation’s life over time. To this end, Government set up a National Educational Policy implementation Committee to translate the Policy into workable blue prints that would guide the bodies whose duty it would be to implement the policy. The Committee was also to develop monitoring system for educational plan as it evolved.
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
1. A nation’s policy on education is government’s way of realizing that part of the national goals which can achieve, using education as a tool. No policy on education, however, can be formulated without first identifying the overall philosophy and goals of the nation.
2. The overall philosophy of Nigeria is to:
(a) live in unity and harmony as one indivisible, indissoluble, democratic and sovereign nation founded on the principal of freedom, equally and justice;
(b) Promote inter-African solidarity and world peace through understanding.
3 The five main national goals of Nigeria, which have been endorsed as the necessary foundation for the National Policy on education, are the building of:-
(a) a free and, democratic society;
(b) a just egalitarian society;
(c) a united, strong and self-reliant nations;
(d) a great and dynamic economy;
(e) a land full of bright opportunities for all citizens.
4. In Nigeria’s philosophy of Education, we believe that:-
(a) education is an instrument for national development, and the interaction of persons and ideas are all aspects of education;
(b) education fosters the worth development of the individual, for each individual’s sake, and for general development of the society
(c) the training of the mind in the understanding of the world around;
(d) the acquisition of appropriate skills and competencies as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of the society.
8. In consequence, the quality of instruction at all levels has to be oriented towards inculcating the following value;
(a) respect for the worth and dignity of the individual;
(b) faith in man’s ability to make rational decisions;
(c) moral and spiritual principle in inter-personal and human relations
(d) shared responsibility for the common good of society;
(e) promotion of the physical, emotional and psychological development of all children;
(f) acquisition of competencies necessary for self-reliance.
9. In order to realize fully the potentials of the contributions of education to the achievement of these goals and values, all other agencies will operate in concert with education. To that end, Government shall take various measures to implement the policy;
Accordingly:-
(a) education shall continue to be highly rated in the national development plans because education is the most important instrument of charge; any fundamental change in the intellectual and social outlook of any society has to be preceded by education;
(b) life-long education shall be the basis of the nation’s educational policy;
(c) education and training facilities shall continue to be expanded in response to social needs and made progressively accessible to afford the individual a far more diversified and flexible choice;
(d) educational activities shall be centered on the leaner for maximum self-development and self-fulfillment;
(e) Universal Basic education in a variety of forms; depending on needs and possibilities, shall be provided for all citizens;
(f) Efforts shall be made to relate education to overall community needs;
(g) Educational assessment and evaluation shall be liberalized by their being based in part on continuous assessment of the progress of the individual;
(h) Modern education techniques shall be increasingly used and improved upon at all levels of the education system;
(i) The education system shall be structured to develop the practice of self-learning. Government shall in this regard continue to encourage the establishment of Young Readers Clubs in schools
(j) At any stage of the education process after junior secondary education, an individual shall be able to choose between continuing full-time studies, combining work with study, or embanking on full-time employment work with study, or embarking on full-time employment without excluding prospect of resuming studies later on;
(k) Opportunity shall continue to be made for made for religious instruction; no child will be forced to accept any religious instruction which is contrary to the wishes of his or her parents; and
(l) Physical and health education shall be emphasized at all levels of the education system.
10. The importance of language:-
Government appreciates the importance of language as a means of promoting social interaction and national cohesion; preserving cultures. Thus every child shall learn the language of the immediate environment. Furthermore, in the interest of national unity it is expedient that every child shall require to learn one of the three Nigeria languages: Hausa, Igbo Yoruba.
(a) For smooth interaction with our neighbours, it is desirable for every Nigeria to speak French. Accordingly, French shall be compulsory in primary and Junior Secondary Schools but Non- Vocational Elective at the senior Secondary School.
After the National Curriculum Conference, a seminar of expert drawn from a wide range of interest groups within Nigeria was convened in 1973. The seminar, which includes voluntary agencies and external bodies, deliberated on what a national policy on education for an independent and sovereign Nigeria should be.
The outcome of the seminar was a draft document which, after due comments were received from the states and other interest groups, led to the final document, the National Policy on Education, first published in 1997.
Since the published of the first edition in 1997, the 2nd and 3rd editions were published in 1981 and 1998 respectively in keeping with the dynamics of social change and the demands on education. This 4th edition was necessitated by some policy innovations and changes, and the need to update the 3rd edition (1998) accordingly. These innovations and changes include:
(a) The lifting of the suspension order on Open and Distance Learning Programme by Government,
(b) revitalization and expansion of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC);
(c) establishment of Teachers Registration Council (TRC);
(d) introduction of information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the school curriculum as a second official language;
(e) prescription of French Language in the primary and secondary schools, curriculum as second official language;
(f) prescription of minimum number of subject to taken by SSCE candidates;
(g) the integration of basic education in the programme of Quaranic schools, to ensure equal opportunity and effective implementation of UBE;
(h) repositioning science, technical and vocational education in the scheme of national educational for optimum performance; and
(i) general contextual change to reflect the state of professional practice in education, among others
Government’s intention was that the far-reaching provisions set out in all sections of the policy should transform all aspects of the nation’s life over time. To this end, Government set up a National Educational Policy implementation Committee to translate the Policy into workable blue prints that would guide the bodies whose duty it would be to implement the policy. The Committee was also to develop monitoring system for educational plan as it evolved.
PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
1. A nation’s policy on education is government’s way of realizing that part of the national goals which can achieve, using education as a tool. No policy on education, however, can be formulated without first identifying the overall philosophy and goals of the nation.
2. The overall philosophy of Nigeria is to:
(a) live in unity and harmony as one indivisible, indissoluble, democratic and sovereign nation founded on the principal of freedom, equally and justice;
(b) Promote inter-African solidarity and world peace through understanding.
3 The five main national goals of Nigeria, which have been endorsed as the necessary foundation for the National Policy on education, are the building of:-
(a) a free and, democratic society;
(b) a just egalitarian society;
(c) a united, strong and self-reliant nations;
(d) a great and dynamic economy;
(e) a land full of bright opportunities for all citizens.
4. In Nigeria’s philosophy of Education, we believe that:-
(a) education is an instrument for national development, and the interaction of persons and ideas are all aspects of education;
(b) education fosters the worth development of the individual, for each individual’s sake, and for general development of the society
(c) the training of the mind in the understanding of the world around;
(d) the acquisition of appropriate skills and competencies as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of the society.
8. In consequence, the quality of instruction at all levels has to be oriented towards inculcating the following value;
(a) respect for the worth and dignity of the individual;
(b) faith in man’s ability to make rational decisions;
(c) moral and spiritual principle in inter-personal and human relations
(d) shared responsibility for the common good of society;
(e) promotion of the physical, emotional and psychological development of all children;
(f) acquisition of competencies necessary for self-reliance.
9. In order to realize fully the potentials of the contributions of education to the achievement of these goals and values, all other agencies will operate in concert with education. To that end, Government shall take various measures to implement the policy;
Accordingly:-
(a) education shall continue to be highly rated in the national development plans because education is the most important instrument of charge; any fundamental change in the intellectual and social outlook of any society has to be preceded by education;
(b) life-long education shall be the basis of the nation’s educational policy;
(c) education and training facilities shall continue to be expanded in response to social needs and made progressively accessible to afford the individual a far more diversified and flexible choice;
(d) educational activities shall be centered on the leaner for maximum self-development and self-fulfillment;
(e) Universal Basic education in a variety of forms; depending on needs and possibilities, shall be provided for all citizens;
(f) Efforts shall be made to relate education to overall community needs;
(g) Educational assessment and evaluation shall be liberalized by their being based in part on continuous assessment of the progress of the individual;
(h) Modern education techniques shall be increasingly used and improved upon at all levels of the education system;
(i) The education system shall be structured to develop the practice of self-learning. Government shall in this regard continue to encourage the establishment of Young Readers Clubs in schools
(j) At any stage of the education process after junior secondary education, an individual shall be able to choose between continuing full-time studies, combining work with study, or embanking on full-time employment work with study, or embarking on full-time employment without excluding prospect of resuming studies later on;
(k) Opportunity shall continue to be made for made for religious instruction; no child will be forced to accept any religious instruction which is contrary to the wishes of his or her parents; and
(l) Physical and health education shall be emphasized at all levels of the education system.
10. The importance of language:-
Government appreciates the importance of language as a means of promoting social interaction and national cohesion; preserving cultures. Thus every child shall learn the language of the immediate environment. Furthermore, in the interest of national unity it is expedient that every child shall require to learn one of the three Nigeria languages: Hausa, Igbo Yoruba.
(a) For smooth interaction with our neighbours, it is desirable for every Nigeria to speak French. Accordingly, French shall be compulsory in primary and Junior Secondary Schools but Non- Vocational Elective at the senior Secondary School.
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