In an exclusive interview with CLEMENT IDOKO, Dr. Ajayi Iyela, the Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), shed light on the commission’s plans to address the skill gap in Nigeria’s education sector through the introduction of a new senior secondary curriculum. This curriculum, set to be unveiled this year, aims to reshape the educational landscape, focusing on technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship education to better align with the nation’s needs.
Dr. Iyela explained that the curriculum is a vital tool for national development, highlighting the importance of having an updated, relevant educational framework. “Curriculum is key,” he stated, emphasizing that the quality of education is directly influenced by the curriculum, the qualification of teachers, and the learning environment. Drawing comparisons with countries like Singapore and South Korea, where technical and vocational education play a central role in their educational systems, Dr. Iyela pointed out that Nigeria’s curriculum has long been outdated and disconnected from the skills needed to thrive in the modern workforce.
To tackle these challenges, the NSSEC has committed to revamping the senior secondary education curriculum, aiming to provide students with the practical skills necessary to succeed in the global economy. “The new curriculum will address the skill gaps in Nigeria and equip students with relevant abilities in technical and vocational fields,” he confirmed. The curriculum overhaul is not just a theoretical concept but a practical solution to bridging the skills gap that has hindered Nigeria’s educational system for years.
Dr. Iyela also discussed the establishment of the NSSEC itself, created in response to the lack of a regulatory and intervention agency for senior secondary education. He highlighted the significant gap in Nigeria’s education sector, where senior secondary education was left without oversight after the de-articulation of secondary education in 2004. “Senior secondary education became an orphan,” he said, noting the sector’s neglect had led to decaying infrastructure, low student performance, and an increase in social vices.
The NSSEC’s primary objective is to set minimum standards for senior secondary education, ensuring that schools meet certain criteria in terms of teacher qualifications, infrastructure, and student-teacher ratios. “We’ve created a National Policy on Senior Secondary Education, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria,” Dr. Iyela revealed. The policy sets the student-teacher ratio at 1:40, ensuring that each student receives adequate attention in their academic journey.
In addition to policy creation, the commission has made significant strides in teacher development. Through capacity-building initiatives across the country’s six geopolitical zones, the NSSEC has focused particularly on strengthening the teaching of core subjects, such as English and Mathematics, to enhance overall educational quality. The commission’s efforts in collecting and analyzing data have also allowed for a more informed approach to educational planning and resource allocation.
As the NSSEC prepares to roll out the new curriculum, Dr. Iyela’s vision for a more robust and relevant senior secondary education system offers hope for a brighter future, not just for Nigeria’s students, but for the country’s overall economic development. With a commitment to innovation, skill development, and quality education, the NSSEC is poised to redefine the future of senior secondary education in Nigeria.
