FG Committed To Promoting Competency-based Education – Minister

The Federal Government on Thursday said it was irrevocably committed
to promoting competency-based education in order to boost employment
generation and fast-track the nation`s development.
The Minister
of Education, Adamu Adamu, said this in Lagos at a national workshop on
technical and vocational training in Nigeria.
The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop with the theme“ Technical
Education: A tool for Sustainable National Development“ was organised by
the Lagos Chambers of Commerce.

The
minister, represented by Dr.Margaret Ladipo, Rector, Yaba College of
Technology, said the government would continue to invest in technical
education to build the requisite human capital base for a competitive
economy.
“The Nigerian education system has an important role to
play in actualizing government’s desire to nurture and develop the
requisite human capital base for a globally-competitive economy.
“This informs the emphasis the present administration has placed on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education.
“We will continue to invest and promote this form of education to encourage job creation and employment generation.
“As
a nation, we must face the reality that education today has to be
functional, in the sense that it must be structured to meet the
requirements for the growth and development of the nation.
“Education
must be purpose-driven toward the development of the individual. This
what technical and vocational education guarantees and we will continue
to focus on that,’’ he said.
He said the government would bridge
the gap between the “Town and the Gown“ by encouraging closer
interaction between workplaces and students in technical schools.
The
minister said an enabling environment would be created in the
universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for pragmatic
private sector involvement.
Adamu said that the government would
regularly review the curriculum to ensure that students undergoing
technical training meet the required standards.
He said the
government would equip technology-oriented institutions with the right
equipment and facilities to ensure quality training.
The minister
commended the Lagos Chamber of Commerce for organising the workshop,
saying it would go a long way in raising consciousness about the
importance of technical education.
Also speaking, the
Deputy–Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Idiat Adebule, described technical
education as a strategy to promote the country`s national development.
Adebule,
therefore, advocated the proper integration of vocational education
programmes at all levels of education to achieve the objective`
“At
Lagos State, we attach priority to the acquisition of vocational skills
as a panacea to reduce the challenges of unemployment.
“We believe our great men and women can achieve greatness with their hands.
“The
state has created technical colleges and skills’ acquisition centres to
empower youths with the required skills to build their future “she
said.
The keynote speaker, Mr Laolu Oguntuyi, Executive Secretary,
Lagos State Technical and Vocational Board, LASTVEB, said technical
education was key to producing productive citizens and promoting
national development.
He, therefore, called for concerted efforts
from all stakeholders in promoting vocational education for sustainable
growth and development.(NAN)