Nigeria to become global food basket soon – Osinbajo

VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has called for an urgent need to design and develop suitable curriculum assessments and monitoring systems that will focus on improving the quality of education during and post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukuemeka Nwajuiba, stated this in Abuja yesterday at 2020 Nigeria’s Annual Education Conference.

The conference, which was held in collaboration with national and international partners, has its theme: “Building an Effective, Resilient and Sustainable Education System for Nigeria’s during and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: The Way Forward”.

The vice president said the adaption of the curriculum was necessary to facilitate learning in hybrid schooling situations in view of the unexpected disruptions of education system by COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the possibilities of designing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curricula such that they can be taught virtually should be worked out by appropriate government offices and stakeholders.

“The theme of this conference is a true reflection of an unusual global challenge faced by education in recent days.

“The emergence of Coronavirus pandemic has no doubt adversely affected the education sector and the economy at national and global levels.

“Let me point out that to cushion the effects of the pandemic, the world is embracing technological innovations. Virtual interactions have increasingly replaced face-to-face engagement and limit the total disruptions to many sectors,” he said.

Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu reiterated the commitment of the ministry for continued deployment of technologies and the internet in education to ensure that online education became an integral component of school education.

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Adamu, represented by Mr. Sonny Echono, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the disparities in access to distance learning across the country must be removed to enhance the sustainable system of education.

Similarly, the representative of UNESCO Regional Office Director, Mr. Mamadou Lamina, said the organisation was committed to supporting the government of Nigeria in the area of education.