The Imo State House Of Assembly has once again demonstrated its continued desire to see to the enhancement of quality Education in Imo State, as *"A Bill For A Law For Uniform Curriculum For Schools In Imo State And Other Related Matters"* has passed its Second reading on Tuesday 28th May, 2024.
The Bill, which is sponsored by Hon. Dr. Henry Agbasonu, the pragmatic member representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, has 6 sections and sub-sections, which according to him are self-explanatory. It was co-sponsored by 9 lawmakers, including :
1. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
2. Hon Chisom Ojukwu.
3. Hon Ikenna Ihezuo.
4. Hon Dominic Ezerioha.
5. Hon Okechukwu Udeze
6. Hon Samuel Ogbunikpa.
7. Hon Francis Osuoha
8. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.
9. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
While adumbrating on the Bill, Hon. Henry Agbasonu said that from his research, he found out that Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools are using 2012 curriculum in Public schools, which is outdated, while the Private schools are using whatever curriculum they think that is suitable for them. He stated that some of the Private schools that belong to an Association known as National Association Of Proprietors Of Private Schools, NAPPS, are using the curriculum they call NAPPS SCHEME OF WORK, which is different from that of Federal Ministry Of Education, while those that do not belong to the Association use any curriculum they lay their hands on.
Hon. Agbasonu moved further to explain that since the State do not have or use unified or uniform curriculum for teaching, its effects have affected pupils and students negatively. This, according to him, explains why Section 4, Subsection 2 of the Bill says that the State Ministry of Education will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders to develop a comprehensive curriculum for schools in Imo State.
Giving more insight, Hon. Agbasonu said that the Federal Ministry Of Education used to revise curriculum every 4--5 years and that it is from the curriculum every internal and external examination body, such as EDC, NECO, WAEC, NABTEB, etc, used to depend on when drafting their Syllabus. According to him, WAEC Syllabus for 2021 is expected to expire in 2025, before a new one is drawn.
Hon. Agbasonu, who is also the House Committee Chairman on Education, highlighted the Merits of the Bill if it is passed into Law to include :
1. It shall guide the teachers on what to teach the pupils and students on daily, weekly and termly basis, inline with the Federal Ministry of Education guidelines.
2. It shall guild the teachers from teaching what is not inline with the Federal Ministry of Education directives.
3. It shall strengthen the Educational system and reposition it with purity.
4. It shall guild the Examination Development Centre (EDC) who set BECE (Basic Education And Certificate Education) and FSLC (First School Leaving Certificate) questions on how to set their questions and where to pick the questions from.
Finally, Hon Dr Agbasonu moved further to establish the objectives for the Bill as follows :
1. Academic Uniformity : To make uniform module, scheme of work and curriculum mandatory in Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in Imo State.
2. To prevent and put to a stop the issue of Confusion among Imo pupils and students during exams
3. Real Academic competition : To enhance the pupils and students academic performances, both in internal and external examination.
4. Better Educational Learning : A regulated curriculum will make sure that the Empirical $ Factual knowledge of the child could be guilded through the three domains of learning, namely : Cognitive, effective and psychomotor.
5. Modern usage of Academic books.
The Bill was a well celebrated Bill on the floor of the House, as Hon Innocent Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli), Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri-west), Hon Dominic Ezerioha (Oru-west), Hon Gilbert Nwosu (Oguta), Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Oru-east), Hon Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu) and Hon Worship Ozioma Ebonine (Njaba) spoke extensively in its favour.
Satisfied with contributions to the Bill, the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, referred it to the House Committee on Education, and its report expected to be submitted on the 11th of June 2024, for further action.
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