The federal government on Thursday unveiled a national policy to reposition science and Technology Education, drive Nigeria’s technological growth and tackle the burden of unemployment.
The new policy which was launched by the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, seeks to improve the country’s manpower beyond paper qualifications and rebrand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The minister regrets that Nigeria has been without a national policy despite the critical importance of science and the acquisition of technical and vocational skills as tools for driving national growth and development.
Adamu, who was represented by Emeka Nwajuiba, Minsiter of state for education, said the absence of a roadmap has slowed down the pace for Nigeria’s quest for technological achievement.
“It is therefore, heartwarming that this anomaly is being addressed with the approval granted by the National Council on Education (NCE). This development is not only significant, but also a landmark achievement achievement by the federl government”, he said.
The minister therefore charged all stakeholders in the science and technology sub-sector to adhere to the policy and implementation guidelines.
Sonny Echono, permanent secretary federal ministry of education in his welcome address, said TVET is the easiest way president Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty can be achieved.
Echono deplored Nigeria’s reliance on neighbouing countries for good quality work men and artisans despite the millions of people roaming the streets , some of which are engaging in deviant behaviour.
“In a very short time frame we can teach them relevant skills. We need to promote TVET, at higher levels we must stimulate innovation and creativity”, he said.
The new policy harped on human resource, staff training, infrastructure standardisation. It stipulates that only professionals will lead the technical institution henceforth, among others.
On funding, the policy proposes the establishment of STVET and 0.5 percent of consolidated revenue fund. It also seeks to harness international and development partners, Organized Private Sector (OPS) funding, among others.
