ACE foundation calls for language, vocational-based curriculum for schools

By Mariam Abeeb

A non- Governmental organization known as ACE charity Foundation, has called for a language, skilled and vocational-based curriculum for basic and secondary education across the country.
This was said by the Founder/Chief Executive Officers of the foundation, Kiki James during her remark at an Education Innovation Forum tagged” Innovative Approaches to Educational Challenges in Nigeria” held in Abuja.
She explained that vocational in addition to literacy and numeracy thought in the schools will helped Nigeria’s students in meeting up with the global competitiveness.
According to her , students in other parts of the world have already been introduce to vocational training from their basic schools .
The CEO charged the federal government to introduce teachings in multiple languages apart from English .
She added that it increases access and gives the students an opportunity to have access to quality education in the language they understand.
“I think we need a holistic approach. I think vocational in addition to literacy numeracy is definitely ready for the 21st century. If you look at our counterparts around the world, vocation has been introduced and I think vocational training is exceptional. I believe that not every child is going to progress at the same level. Every child has a different has their own skill. Different children bring different things to the table and we should address them and give them the skills they need to survive,” she said.
“So the fact that we have one, it means we’re doing things in the right direction. I think it’s all about implementation and possibly, we need to have a collaboration with different stakeholders and amplify the benefits of language based curriculum.
Speaking , the Senior Program Officers, ACE charity , Hassana Shuaibu during her presentation at the event explained that as part of effort to reduce out of school children , the foundation has introduced a programme known as ACE Radio school.
Shuaibu said that this was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
According to her, teachers were contacted, developed script based on the national curriculum and was sent to radio stations in North east and North west .
She added that every week, the out of school children listened and learned .
“Since we began, we have aired in 16 states in Northern Nigeria to a combined listenership of 14millionand have received over 17000 calls and messages. But our impact extends beyond numbers.
“ACE Radio is fulfilling the child’s rights to education, increasing interest in formal education, improving gender parity, reaching married girls, and subverting socio-cultural norms,” Shuaibu stated.
She stressed that the ACE Radio School has brought some respite to the children and by extensions their families, rekindling their hope of getting a good quality education that is uniquely tailored to their needs and levels of understanding.
An Educational experts, Olusoji Adeniyi during his keynote address emphasized need for the use of technology to enhance learning experience.
He noted that technology has transformed traditional teaching methods into interactive ad dynamic experiences.
Adeniyi said that E-learning platforms provides access to vast repositories of educational materials.
He advised the federal government to collaborate with local stakeholders, parents , NGOs and also building support networks for schools and learners.