DR. VITUS BLOG

There are several features in a new
programme which become a reason for
controversy in the society of Nigeria. The
new secondary school curriculum was the
reason for rumors because of new subjects.
People were questioned about an exception
of Christian Religious Knowledge course.
Read on to find out more facts.
New Nigerian curriculum for secondary schools
The new list of subjects includes:
English studies (compulsory subject);
Mathematics (compulsory subject);
Civic Education (compulsory subject);
Trade/Entrepreneurship Studies
(compulsory subject, the student can
choose one of 34 subjects);
Humanities (Every student can choose
2, 3, 4 or 5 subjects depending on his
or her potential);
Science & Mathematics (Every student
can choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 subjects);
Technology (Every student can choose
2, 3, 4 or 5 subjects);
Business Studies (Senior) (Every
student can choose 2, 3, 4 or 5
subjects).
The main idea of a new curriculum is to
provide more practical experience for
students.
The controversy of new Nigerian curriculum for
secondary schools
The reasons for such changes in new
curriculum for secondary schools in
Nigeria are still unknown. The changes
gained the attention of society and
federal government.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Navy secondary
school: how to enter?
Minister of Education , Mallam Adamu
Adamu reported that the main reason of
all the uproar was presumed exception
of the Christian Religious Knowledge
from the curriculum for secondary
schools in Nigeria for 2018.
Even greater indignation was caused by
the fact that Christian Religious
Knowledge was replaced by Islamic
Religious Knowledge. There are a lot of
rumors about this question, some say
that the government just joined CRK and
IRK in one course, others claim that this
is the result of Muhammadu-led
administration policy of isolationism.
But the official position of the
government is that no religious course
should be removed from the curriculum,
so CRS and IRK should be compulsory for
students.
The representatives of Christian
Association of Nigeria were especially
concerned by such news. The president
of Christian Association Reverend
Samson Ayokunle claimed: “ This
curriculum is the brain-child of the
Nigerian Educational Research and
Development Council, an agency of the
Federal Ministry of Education. To us in
CAN, its introduction is an ill wind that
blows nobody any good for so many
reasons.”
According to the words of Mr. Amos
Adekunle Aladeseye, the National
Secretary of All Nigeria Conference of
Principals of Secondary Schools
(ANCOPPS) there is no need in any
controversy about this question because
CRS is still in the curriculum. His words
from the conference: “ We still teach CRS.
I just don’t understand why people are
raising this issue at all. The minister of
education has refuted the claim. We still
teach CRS. It is still taught in my school,
and I am sure that is the same across the
country. “
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of
Teachers (NUT) says that there are even
no much changes in the new curriculum.
According to his words, the new
curriculum is designed more for practical
and technical knowledge.
An official statement terminated all
disputes. The new curriculum grouped
the five subjects under one term
“Religion and National Values
Curriculum“ the subjects includes: Civic
Education, Social Studies, Christian
Religious Knowledge, Islamic Studies, and
Security Education.
The official statement said: “ The
management of NERDC hereby reiterates
categorically and unequivocally to all
Nigerians that the subject offerings (Civic
Education, Social Studies, Christian
Religious Knowledge, Islamic Studies, and
Security Education) under the Religion
and National Values Curriculum are
distinct, as listed and taught separately on
the timetable. ”
According to the words of the
government, the new programme should
be more effective, so we continue to
follow the news of curriculum changes.