Discussion
Details
the Pilot Study was conducted in December 2014, carried out by Mrs. Francesca Edeghere.
On 19th May 2015 Mrs. Edeghere presented the finding of the study at the roundtable discussion with members from Educational Institutions at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Mrs. Edeghere highlighted the benefits of Civic Education in the schools on the Nigerian society, and the problems associated with the cancellation of this school subject from curriculum in the mid seventies before it was reintroduced in the primary school system in 2007 and in basic and secondary schools in September 2011.
The survey was done at secondary and primary schools in Abuja and in the outskirt of Abuja. Students and teachers were interviewed especially on their perception of the subject and how democracy and civic education is reflecting in rules and regulations of the schools and the daily business. It was noted that most students like the subject Civic Education but also, that teachers who teach civic education, did not study Civic Education as a course when they were undergoing their training. Therefore teachers from different field of studies have to cope with the responsibility of teaching Civic Education.
In attendance at the Roundtable were stakeholders from different regulatory bodies from the education sector. They include Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), National Orientation Agency (NOA). From the political sphere, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), was represented by former Minister of State for Education, Prof. Jerry Agada, who gave insightful comments on the way forward for civic education in Nigeria. He thanked KAS and the consultant for this survey which serves as reminder to decision makers in the education sector that more needs to be done. Also members of civil society and the Media gave their inputs on the subject.
The KAS Country Director Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi asked all participants to forward their ideas on how to make teaching Civic Education to young people easier, how teachers could be assisted in carrying out this duty and in which way KAS could be of assistance since it is the aim of KAS to contribute to Democracy, Rule of Law and Prosperity for all citizens of Nigeria.
Some of the recommendations at the end of the roundtable include intensifying Civic Education not only at the classrooms, but at home as well, because education is a cradle-to-grave activity. The parents as the first contact for the children should act as role models, before the teachers will do their own bits.
It was also recommended that the existing curriculum on Civic Education be examined and enriched in collaboration with the NERDC, which is the body concerned with curriculum development in Nigeria.
Teachers in charge of Civic Education should get periodical in-service trainings to bring up the standards needed. It was also recommended that Civic Education should be introduced at the colleges of education in Nigeria, so that enough competent teachers are produced.
It was agreed that KAS would further discuss the issues with the relevant bodies and do further surveys on the subject with parents and in State Schools.
