By Emeka Aginam

To make ICT relevant in the nation’s educational  sector, the Ministry of Education is  to flag off the review of  IT Education Curricullum  at all levels of education in Nigeria.This is part of the implementation of National IT education frame (NITEF) and ICT in education plocy

The new  ICT policy in education, is expected to be engaging and empowering so as to prepare the students after graduation for the  challenges of the 21st century knowledge society.

While the new  policy document awaits launch next week in Abuja, the Registrar of Computer  Registration Council of Nigeria, (CPN), Mr Shehu Mohammed had earlier  told CyberLIFE with optimism that very soon,  the policy  would change the face of ICT education in Nigeria.

“Currently, there is generally a lack of regular review and updating of existing IT curricula, especially at the tertiary level in order to meet up with the changing societal needs as well as low capacity of curriculum developers and implementers.

“The challenge of obsolete curriculum is worrisome. It is  even more compounded because of the highly dynamic nature of IT.  Integration of ICT into the curriculum is barely in its infancy. When fully implemented, the students after graduation should be face the challenging labor market. That is the idea behind. ICT education has t be inculcated at all levels. That is the only we can face the knowledge economy” he said.

Meanwhile, the  draft   document which  presents the policy of government on ICT in Education is  predicated on a vision for ICT in education deriving from a number of instruments including, the national vision Vision 20:2020, the  Seven-Point Agenda, the national Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS),  National Policy on Education, Roadmap for the Education Sector,  National Information Technology Policy, and  National Information Technology Education Framework.

Part of mission of the policy thrust is to   meet the human resource requirements of the nation for attaining and enhancing sustainable socio-economic development, global competitiveness as well as the individual’s ability to survive in a contemporary environment.

Part of the aim of  the new document which is expected to increase  budgetary funding for ICT in Education, CyberLIFE learnt, is to meet  the human resource requirements for the attainment of the national vision as well as equipping the individual with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they require to meet the challenges of the emergent contemporary environment.

Part of the objectives of the  document, it was gathered, will include the facilitation of  the teaching and learning processes, the  promotion of problem-solving, critical thinking and innovative skills, life-long learning and   enhancement of the  various teaching/learning strategies required to meet the needs of the population.