Nigeria’s current 6-3-3-4 system of education needs to be urgently re-evaluated to help Nigerian students compete globally, according to Osita Chidoka, former minister of Aviation.
Chidoka said that managers of the education sector need to adopt the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma curriculum to strengthen critical thinking, create global awareness, and ensure comprehensive education for Nigerians.
Chidoka made this known while speaking as the guest of honour at the 2024 graduation ceremony of Greensprings School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Lagos.
The Greensprings IB Diploma Programme is a two-year sixth-form programme designed to prepare secondary school graduates for life in tertiary institutions.
The former minister said the IB Diploma is an international gold standard in education that encourages independent thinking and prepares students for success in top universities.
“The IB Diploma programme is widely acclaimed as the gold standard of education worldwide, encouraging students to be independent thinkers. Top universities around the world seek out IB Diploma graduates for the high level of college preparedness that the program instils in its students,” Chidoka said.
He said it’s important to create an environment where students can develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
He urged the graduating class to adopt the ‘Chidoka Principles’ which he describes as Uche (wisdom), Uchu (diligence), and Egwuchukwu (morality and fear of God) to guide their future endeavours.
Chidoka encouraged them to uphold these values, stressing that good character is fundamental for them, towards achieving sustainable success in their academic and professional journeys.
The school honoured the achievements of the IB Diploma graduates, who secured multiple scholarships from universities in Europe and North America.
A total of 36 graduates were awarded over $12 million in scholarships, affirming the programme’s impact in preparing students for higher education and beyond.
Reacting to the students’ achievements, Feyisara Ojugo, deputy director of education of Greensprings School, expressed joy over the performance of the IB Diploma students.
She said the students have done well and that their acceptance into top universities globally on scholarship is a testimony to their hard work and the support that the school provided to ensure their dreams come true.
“As a school, we provide adequate support and environment students need to attain their full potential. Seeing them succeed this way makes us proud,” Ojugo said.
She said the school has had several reports of strides attained by its IB Diploma students, with different sets receiving scholarships worth millions of dollars to study their choice courses in their preferred institutions.
“These students have been able to record a high level of success because of the robustness of the IB Diploma programme. The IB Diploma curriculum prepares students for university life,” she added.
