NBTE advocates mandatory 50% skills acquisition for secondary school pupils; The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is advocating for the implementation of a mandatory 50% skills acquisition program for secondary school students.
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NBTE advocates mandatory 50% skills acquisition for secondary school pupils
Prof. Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, believes that this initiative will not only help students gain a better understanding of their interests and abilities but also enhance their decision-making abilities, contributing to their personal and professional development.
Bugaje made this call during an interaction with journalists while discussing NBTE’s newly launched top-up program for HND holders to attain a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in their chosen fields. He emphasized the importance of revamping Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) at the secondary school level to identify and nurture talents that can lead to profitable enterprises.
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Bugaje cited the example of Germany, which employs a dual system where students are exposed to skills from a young age. In Germany, secondary school students spend three days in school and three days in industries. Consequently, when they pursue higher education, a significant portion attend polytechnics, with fewer opting for traditional universities because they’ve already acquired substantial practical training within the dual system.
Comparing this to Nigeria, Bugaje expressed concern that many tertiary institution graduates in the country struggle to find jobs because they lack the necessary skills for industry. To address this, he urged the government to redirect its focus and make it mandatory for 50% of secondary school graduates to undergo skills training in polytechnics. Approximately 30% could pursue university education, and 20% could enroll in Colleges of Education (COE).
Bugaje argued that this shift would not only help the government reposition polytechnics but also reduce the reliance on foreign technicians for projects within the country, ultimately curbing capital flight and unemployment among Nigerian youths. He emphasized that skills training can be completed quickly, with one level taking only six months and eight levels achievable within four years.
He further highlighted the historical importance of skills acquisition and the need to empower individuals with practical expertise. Bugaje announced that NBTE would introduce a dual certification system, where polytechnic students would need to acquire a relevant skill qualification alongside their regular curriculum to graduate.
In conclusion, Bugaje urged Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities in skills acquisition, citing the success of countries like India and Bangladesh in exporting skilled labor. He emphasized that the focus should shift from degrees to practical skills to address the issue of unemployment in Nigeria effectively.
(NAN)
