By Godfrey AKON
The National Universities Commission, NUC, has said there are gaps in implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards, CCMAS, at institutional levels, urging universities to address them.
Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, gave the charge at the British Council workshop on Enhancing Curriculum and Pedagogical Approaches in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja, on Monday.
Maiyaki noted that it is one thing to review or develop a new curriculum, it is another to deploy the curriculum effectively and efficiently in training students in their chosen disciplines.
“Knowledge without implementation is an exercise in futility. And as a corollary, Training without practice is a waste of effort. We have a real problem with execution gaps at institutional levels which you should address at this workshop,” he said.
The NUC boss, who appreciated the British Council for organising the Workshop, said the commission is more than disposed to engage in collaborations that will continually reshape understanding of the importance of curriculum development and effective implementation, in today’s world.
“I must emphasise that today’s curriculum needs, require the incorporation of interactive technology to assist students understand concepts and learning of new skills.
“Institutions, government and private sector experts should strengthen existing collaboration and feedback mechanisms to incorporate best practices in curriculum development for higher education, thus, shaping a brighter and more resilient future for graduates and national economic development,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the CCMAS, which was successfully launched on 5th December, 2022 will continue to serve as a guide to Nigerian universities in the development of the 30 per cent curriculum for their peculiarities to imbue students with 21st century skills and competences for self, national and global relevance.
Maiyaki also noted that the current 272 universities in the country were still inadequate to meet the need of its growing population for university education.
“If you look at the population bracket of Nigeria, Nigeria is the only country that is highly undersubscribed, with 200 million people, and we only have today 272 universities: 61 are federal, public funded, 63 are owned by state governments, and 148 are owned by private individuals. And the private universities, even though they have that number, account for only 10 percent of our enrolment of 2 million that will have there,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of Programmes at British Council, Chikodi Onyemerela, said for the 80 years of its existence in Nigeria, the British Council has been working with state and non state actors to support the educational system in the country, strengthening English language proficiency and effective use of digital technology in teaching and learning assessment.
Onyemerela said the council was also working with National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, to improve their curriculum delivery and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, in developing School Leaders Professional Standard to give them a path to career progression.
He called for a change in the approach and delivery of teaching and learning from traditional to digital literacy in solving problems.
“We must acknowledge the hurdles that lie ahead of the traditional approach to teaching and learning, which has long been entrenched in our university system and are not easily overturned,” he said.
