Educationists advocate vocation-driven curriculum

Pupils of the School with the Proprietor during the Valedictory Service

 Educationists advocate vocation-driven curriculum

by Sodiq Oyeleke

A former Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Mr. Ayodeji Iginla; and the Principal, Pacific Comprehensive College, Mr. Mekwunye Anthony, have called for the adoption of a robust entrepreneurial studies curriculum that will enhance job creation.

They both spoke at the Valecdictory Service of the Pacific Comprehensive College organised for the 2011/2012 academic session.

 According to Iginla, the present educational curriculum does not support job creation, and this pose the challenge of over dependency on the economy.

 He said,"We are moving regressive in terms of development. There is no reason for this than the fact that our curriculum is a disadvantage for job creation. It gives limited room for creative development.

 "During our own period, leaving school and getting job was not a problem, maybe because of the population. But now, a lot of things have been left deteriorating and our government are not moving the curriculum in a way to address this."

 He advised that pupils should keep up a skill or vocation for them to keep an encouraging future for the country through self employement.

 "If there is no improvement in the nearest future, it will be very difficult to locate jobs, unless a system that will curb that is established for everyone to have theirs," the chairman of the occasion said.

 Also, the Principal of the school, Anthony, said the country's curriculum does not grant dependency after secondary and university education. He said,"A skill is supposed to be backed up with education. This what has been lacking in the country's education curriculum since independence to the extent that carpenters, brick layers, welders, mechanics, drivers, painters etc are more scarce than doctors, pharmacists, dentist, engineers, journalists etc.

 "We do not need education to create jobs rather what is required are people with creative skills and trade that can provide the technical manpower that is required in the factories and industries, the multiplier effect of which will generate more employement opportunities.," he added.

 Meanwhile, the overall best pupil of the graduating set, Akinde Olumide, urged others to be dedicated and seek ways to help develop the nation.

"Dedication is the utmost key to success. Every pupils should have a role model to lead and guide their path," he said.

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Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE

Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner