Story By Felix Khanoba
The new National Policy on Science and Technology Education (S&TE) is to attract 70 percent of students in the country to the study of science subjects and acquisition of technical and vocational skills within the next 10 years.
A lecturer at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Prof. Marshall Azeke, stated this in Abuja during the unveiling of the new policy document.
The don, who presented the overview of the document, called for the rebranding of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to get the desired attention.
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.
Unveiling the document,
Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, 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, saying the lacuna 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.
He 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.”
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.
