From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has commenced the process of reviewing 14 syllabus and curriculum being used in technical colleges for the purposes of training craftsmen, artisans, and several others.
The Board said the review exercise was a follow-up to the review of curricular for 10 trades which were developed recently by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) under the IDEAS project of the World Bank, which were critiqued and validated by stakeholders in conformity with a 21st century technological needs.
Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe, told journalists at the syllabus review workshop in Abuja, on Monday, that a team of experts have been assembled to undertake the task, and she’s confident that they would do a thorough review process to ensure improved syllabus, thus ensuring that training of artisans, craftsmen and master craftsmen meet current demands of industries.
She insisted that technical and vocational education is the bedrock of sustainable technological development. “So, the need to produce well-trained and well-motivated craftsmen and technicians for sustaining national technological and economic growth cannot be overemphasized.
“Besides, both the content and processes of education are dynamic, therefore syllabuses that are designed to guide teaching and learning must also be current in order to provide valid and reliable direction.
“In Nigeria today, production of needed technical personnel, in terms of craftsmen and master craftsmen have been facing many challenges ranging from issues of inadequate teaching equipment and materials, teaching personnel to those of curriculum and syllabuses, thus, today’s event which is quite fulfilling and fortuitous.
“As we embark on this assignment, let’s pay special attention to the needs of the industry, the country’s aspirations for its citizens, the educational policy of the nation, availability of resources among other factors.”
She was, however, confident that great documents would emerge from the meeting because of the array of professionals, both practitioners in the industry as well as experts from the classroom, that would undertake the task.
“At the end of this gathering, we hope to produce good quality and teachable syllabuses that all students, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders can rely on considering the assemblage of experienced experts in all the relevant fields present.
“Moreover the Board, has ensured that all NABTEB subject experts for relevant trade subjects are on ground to complement the efforts of other thorough-bred experts present,” she added.
Head of Examination Development Department, NABTEB, Mrs. Folashade Idowu, in her remarks, said the 14 syllabus for review are; Motor Vehicle; Electrical Installation; Welding and Fabrication; Mechanical Engineering Craft; Electronic System and Maintenance; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
Others are; Computer and GSM Repairs; Carpentry and Joinery; Bricklaying/Blocklaying and Concreting; Plumbing and Pipe Fitting; Cosmetology; Catering Craft; Fashion Design; and Renewable Energy.
She said the goal is to certify craftsmen and artisans who are educated, and thus have the potential for upward mobility to correct the pitfall of the past, and at the same time, in which the candidates will be skilled in specific trades rather than being tradesmen.
She added: “The syllabus will enable the Board to identify through practical and written examinations, candidates who have the competence to perform on the job. This is not alone, the syllabuses direct teachers/trainers on their journeys of teaching.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, in declaring open the event, appreciated the idea to update the content of the syllabus being used to impact knowledge and skills on the artisans and craftsmen.
He hinted that the federal government will commence the review of the curriculum of all levels of education so they can conform with new realities.
He said that curriculum and syllabus of institutions, secondary and basic education was last reviewed 14 years ago. “I think 14 years is enough to call a child an adolescent. “For us to remain in prolong period without review of curriculum and syllabus spell doom for the nation,” he said.