Education

FG unveils new policy on Science, Technology Education

By Felix Khanoba

The Federal Government has unveiled a new policy aimed at boosting the study of science and acquisition of technical and vocational skills in schools across the country.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who unveiled the National Policy on Science and Technology Education (S&TE) in Abuja on Thursday, said vocational skills remain one of the best bets to promote employment and technological development.

Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Adamu lamented that the earlier absence of a roadmap for Science and Technical Education slowed down the pace of Nigeria’s quest for technological advancement, which prompted the new initiative.

“This initiative underscores the passion and determination of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to address the challenges facing the delivery of quality science and technical education in Nigeria,” he said.

The minister called on stakeholders in the Science and Technology Education sub-sector to adhere to the policy and implementation guidelines to ensure the desired goal is achieved.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sonny Echono, noted the importance of promoting skills development in schools to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

He said the new policy document was multi-sectoral in nature , as it has a holistic approach to leadership and life skills training for pupils, students, teachers and youths in and out of school.

His words: “The new national policy on Science and Technology education has both institutional and human capacity building linkages between schools and communities. It also includes the provision of required facilities and equipment on a systematic and sustainable basis.”

Presenting the overview of the document, Prof. Marshall Azeke of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, said the policy aimed to achieve 70percent enrolment in S&TE within the next 10 years.

While calling for the rebranding of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), he said the policy advocated establishment of National TVET Commission, that will attract 0.5per cent funding from the Federal Government’s consolidated account to boost the studies S&TE.

The AUTHORITY reports that the new policy redirection, which holds massive prospect for the S &TE sector was a fall out of a recent meeting of the National Council on Education which recommended the review of its curriculum.

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