Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said in his statement that the Federal Government was re-designing the country’s education curriculum as part of its education plans for the country, and Vow, every child would count.
Osinbajo said this while delivering the 23rd Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU), during the university’s award of higher degree and postgraduate diploma certificates. title : “Africa Centres of Excellence in African Universities: a Veritable Catalyst for Nation Building and Development”.
Osibanjo said it was clear that there was a need to change both the substance of education that our children received as well as the methods by which they were educated.
He explaned “We are clear that the key to achieving this is to focus on Technology, Science, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) Education and the need for a workforce with STEAM skills to compel economic prosperity,”
According to his statement, it was gratifying that LASU Centre for Excellence Programme had been earmarked as a Centre for Excellence and regional hub for Innovative and Transformative STEAM Education in Africa.
Osinbajo said the feat recorded by the university fits well with the Federal Government’s policy direction in education and its vision for a prosperous Nigerian economy, to be able to create jobs and train youths on those jobs for the next few years.
“We also recognise that schooling should support the development of skills in cross-disciplinary, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving and digital technologies. Federal Government new policy was to introduce Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics curriculum in primary schools The Vice-President noted
The vice president said “the National curriculum being developed would not only include the teaching of coding, digital arts, design thinking, robotics, critical thinking and other skills but also using these skills in interpreting traditional curriculum topics. These skills are vital in all 21st-century occupation,”
He said the aim of the Federal Government was to ensure that from early education, a primary school onwards regardless of social background or geographical location of every young person should have a fundamental level of digital and stem literacy. This was a recognition of the immense talent and hard work demonstrated by the faculty and students of the institution.
According to him, this would enable the students to succeed locally and internation, the time had come for African countries to invest more in education, to lift the people of the continent out of poverty.
He explained further “So what do we need to do to convert our country to the greatest centre for innovation and creativity in the world? Three things; number one education, number two education and number three education. “The truth is that education is the most powerful force for socio-economic change in the world, ” he said.
Osinbanjo also urged the graduating students to be concerned about building the nation and recognise that every generation is uniquely equipped to deal with its own challenges.
