What Nigeria can learn from Germany’s dual education system

… as the country ponders K-12 learning structure

Nigerians’ high hustling expertise no doubt can be leveraged to develop the country’s economy, built sustainable business ecosystem.

Experience has shown that in almost every major street of Nigerian states, people are hustling, and trying to create something, and make ends meet, which can be converted to economic gains if well harnessed.

However, experts believe that the challenge is on how to move from just being hustlers to becoming investors, creating jobs for others, and establishing business ecosystems that helps small businesses thrive.

And this is where good education system and the government is needed the most. Education, especially vocational learning is a tool par excellence for effecting the full development of the human personality and economic stability.

For instance, most developed countries such as Germany, the United States, and Japan, among others, are maximising the benefits of skills acquisition among youngsters to develop their economy and human capital index.

In the face of a plethora of changes experienced in the education sector over the years, the federal government announced a reformed curriculum for basic schools with the introduction of 15 skills, and recently indicated interest in adopting 12-year education system.

The new trades focus on employability and hands-on learning, covering areas such as Digital Literacy, Plumbing, Interior Design, Hairstyling, Solar Installation, Garment Making, and GSM Repairs, among others, just as the German’s dual learning system.

How it works

Nigeria’s basic education system requires a child will have a mandatory nine years of education; six years of primary and three years of junior secondary. This is geared towards preparing a child for life with basic skills.

In Germany, though the dual education system is geared towards preparing a child for work excellence, it was formally enshrined in the country’s law with the establishment of the Vocational Training Act of 1969, which was updated in 2005.

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It acts as a transition between school and the workplace, with most apprentices aged between 16 and 19, although some placements are aimed at those aged 18 and above, where the apprenticeship can form part of a degree course.

The system involves students splitting their learning time between the classroom and on-the-job training. Dual educational training typically lasts around two to three years, after which time students will often gain an industry-recognised qualification.

The goals/aims

The Nigerian basic schools’ curriculum is aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and practical skills, positioning students for success in both local and international job markets.

One of the major goals of the UBE programme is to ensure that all children, regardless of ethnicity, religion, class, or gender, have access to quality basic education.

It aims to equip students with 21st-century skills and make them ready for the job market.

In Germany, the dual education system prepares young people for a large spectrum of professions. Around half of all school leavers go into the dual education system, which in turn means that Germany enjoys a low youth unemployment rate.

The professional qualification certificates obtained in this system are still valued in the labour market and the system has remained flexible enough to take care of the elimination of unsatisfying educational programmes and to answer to the appearance of new economic and professional fields with the development of new educational programmes.

Organisation of apprenticeship

The German dual learning system is tailored in a way that apprentices will spend 70 percent of their time in the workplace and 30 percent at school. Most apprenticeships take around three years and almost always lead to secure employment.

The dual system is a partnership between the government, businesses, and vocational schools. It combines classroom theory with hands-on experience at a company, and students spend part of each week at both places.

Financing and cost of training

In Germany, students undertaking a placement in the dual education system do not pay any educational fees for their courses.

Instead, they are paid a small wage as part of their contract, usually equivalent to €400 to €600 (about N719,200 to N1.08 million) a month, similar to a student bursary.

Standardisation

The German dual education system is standardised throughout the country so that a student completing a placement in one state can ensure that his qualification will be recognised in another.

The German dual studies system is so well perceived that many apprentices can easily find employment in other countries afterward as well.

Students who complete the programme receive a certificate from a Chamber of Industry and Commerce or a Chamber of Crafts and Trades.

The Nigerian basic schools’ skill acquisition system is standardised in line with the UBEC operational system. Nevertheless, it is not clear if there will be a separate examination to certify students.