After 14 years, the Federal Government has commenced the review of the syllabus of technical colleges in the country.
To this end, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has added 14 new subjects to its examination syllabus.
At a stakeholders’ workshop organised by NABTEB in Abuja, yesterday, Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, reiterated the importance of vocational education and entrepreneurial skills in reducing the high rate of unemployment.
Declaring the event open, Sununu emphasised the need for stakeholders to understand the dynamics and changes in the job environment.
Tagged ‘Workshop for the 2024 Syllabus Review of Technical Colleges’, participants were drawn from the vocational and technical education sub-sector across the country.”
According to Sununu, the prolonged period of curriculum and syllabi reviews for basic and secondary education spell doom for the nation, stressing that President Bola Tinubu had given express order for outdated curricula to be reviewed.
He added that in the next few days, the National Educational Research Development Council (NERDC), in collaboration with the National Secondary School Education Commission (NSSEC), would also commence the review of basic and secondary curricula in tune with modern realities.
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Prof Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, said the exercise was in fulfilment of the drive for innovation and skills empowerment by the Federal Government, especially through the education sector.
Isiugo-Abanihe said the review was geared towards ensuring that the training of artisans, craftsmen and master craftsmen meet the current demands of industries.
In an address of welcome, the Acting Head of Department, Examinations Development Department at NABTEB, Folasade Idowu, identified the 14 trade areas where curricula would be developed to include: Motor Vehicle (021), Electrical Installation (041), Welding and Fabrication (051), Mechanical Engineering Craft (068), Electronic System and Maintenance (O71), Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (081) and Computer and GSM Repairs (171).
Others are Carpentry and Joinery (221), Bricklaying/Blocklaying and Concreting (212), Plumbing and Pipe Fitting (261), Cosmetology (311), Catering Craft (341), Fashion Design (331) and Renewable Energy (625).
