The educational system in Nigeria has been faced with myriad of challenges just as there have been several efforts to mitigate the challenges. From primary to secondary and tertiary education, the system appears to need an urgent intervention if the expectation of transforming the country to meet up with other countries of the world is going to be a reality. In my considered opinion, one of the evils bedeviling the educational system is continuous change of approach and policy somersault.
The 6-3-3-4 system of education was introduced in 1982 to replace the 6-5-4 system. According to experts, it was designed to inject functionality into the Nigerian school system, by producing graduates who would be able to make use of their hands, head and the heart (the 3Hs of education). I assume as it is logical to assume and conclude that the policy was midwifed arising from the understanding that Nigeria cannot advance without science and technology education.
The 6-3-3-4 was conceptualised to aside from catering for educational needs provide skills that could make the youths self reliant and also help in driving technological development of the nation.
Unfortunately, years after the conceptualisation and formulation of that lofty policy, the Nigeria educational system still produce graduates who can actively make use of their head and their heart but are limited in making use of their hands. Sadly, when there is no space for the head to function, the hand becomes useless which is an exponential disadvantage to technological development. There are many graduates today who are intellectually endowed but are redundant because the system did not train them to use their hands.
I remember that I was a partaker of the 6-3-3-4 system. The 6-3-3-4 system of education in Nigeria was designed for the students to spend six years in primary school, three years in junior secondary school, three years in senior secondary school, and four years in a tertiary institution. Unfortunately, with the latest developments, it cannot be said that the period allocated for each frame is the maximum expended as many actions and inactions of government lead to the unwarranted extension of the period.
My focus today is on the Secondary School education. The Secondary School students spend a minimum period of six years in Secondary School. During the six years, students are expected to spend three years in Junior Secondary School and three years in Senior Secondary School.
The introduction of the 6-3-3-4 system of education in Nigeria came with the introduction of some peculiar subjects in its core-curriculum. At the Secondary School, I remember the introduction of Building Technology, Applied Electricity and Wood Work. To drive the vision, new laboratories were constructed in schools for the purpose of the newly introduced subjects and the laboratories were supplied with equipments for learning. I remember that about 10 of us opted for Applied Electricity and sat for it at WASCE. Unfortunately, I am not sure that any of those schools supplied with the state of the art equipment can boast of a functional laboratory today.
The 6-3-3-4 system was designed such that students who could not proceed to the University would have learnt something and continue their education at Technical Colleges while those who are able to cross the hurdles of WASCE and JAMB would use the experiences in their field of choice. Beyond those benefits, some of the technical experiences are to live with the students for the rest of their lives. The students were expected to be able to solve some problems relating with their training. What a great idea!
Today, we have technically abolished 6-3-3-4 with the elimination of the key hands-on courses such as Applied Electricity, Building Technology, Wood Work etc. How do we then drive technological development? These key technologically active courses are what other countries of the world are using to prepare the minds of their youths towards driving their economy taking advantage of technology. How did we miss it?
I hope we will begin to realise that an effective interaction between the hand, the head and the heart is essential for us to have the great country we envisage. We must begin to engage our youths on ideas that could provoke technological innovations. Let us begin to pay attention to our Secondary School education.
One other benefits of 6-3-3-4 in my opinion, is the reduction of crime and criminalities. The devil finds work for an idle hand! In the era of the introduction of 6-3-3-4, students who could not further their education ended up becoming an artisan as against today that the system throw all of them out into “okada” riding. A child that is already focusing on something will place more value in himself than a child that does not have an idea on what the future holds.
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Am highly pleased with this words of yours sir but to cut the long story short, Nothing can work again in Nigeria unless we build a new country that can once again call a home, have seen millions writers previously 💬 saying this for years 🤌in any problem there’s beneficiary’s who will stand against the solution to the problem and likewise there is beneficiary’s to the solution. most Of us was only able to give ourselves a temporary job while schooling due to Nigeria unorganized system and that turned us to a boss while struggling to make it a permanent and some turned criminal due to failure while trying to be a self boss, Nigeria do not have any insurance for our children and we are living in a risk nation👌 more reason I put my education career on pending ! Bitter truth is that Nigeria was created with false foundation 👌 Learning of another man language and learning of another man religious ! Peace ✌️
I enjoyed reading this. Simply put, when the foundation is destroyed, the building cannot stand the test of time. Unfortunately the higher education institutions (HEIs) are suffering from the problems created by the 6-3-3-4 system. Nigeria’s educational system needs a complete overhaul, which should begin from the grassroot
An effective interaction between the 3Hs of education can also be encouraged by creating time for vocational training and allowing students to join the one they are interested in.
Thanks
As far as I concern, this is one of major issue problems arise in Nigeria, we need to tackle and solve it before is too late. We need to elaborate and popularize in society in such a way reach individual , enlightened parents and call back ministry of education sectors in to notice.
Thanks.
The righteous peoples in the heart of a nation produce the beauty in the character and rapid development of the nation. The true test of character is not what we do in public, bi what we do when nobody is watching.. The secret and future of a nation is hidden in the characters of the citizens. HONESTY is a standard of moral conduct !!! When honest peoples in a nation is less than twenty percent , mathematically there is probability of eighty percent of both present and future leaders to be rotten eggs that easily pollute any good system even the entire nation with corruption. The word of Almighty God is God . Only with Grace of God , l mean unmerited favour of Almighty God that can set that nation free because God chooses a leader for a nation according to their righteousness . NIGERIA AS A NATION WE NEED PERSONAL CHANGE AND ATTITUDINAL GROWTH, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND MATURITY. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE WE CAN NOT BEND THE TREES INT THE FOREST WHEN THEY ARE OLD EXCEPT WITH ALMIGHTY GOD INTERVENTION. COLLECTIVELY IT ALSO DEMAND SELF DENIAL, EFFORT AND COURAGE.THANK YOU .
On point!
Righteousness in the heart of the citizens of a nation produce beauty in character and development of that particular nation. The secret , development and the future of a nation is hidden in the character of the citizens. HONESTY is the stick yard to measure moral standard and also Almighty God always use it to select leaders for the nations of the entire world. When the moral standard of a nation is less than twenty percent, mathematically there will be probability of eighty percent of both present and future leaders of rotten eggs that can easily pollute any good system through immorality or corruption. NIGERIA AS A NATION , WE NEED ATTITUDINAL CHANGE ,PERSONAL GROWTH, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND MATURITY. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE WE CAN NOT BEND THE TREES IN THE FOREST WHEN THEY ARE OLD EXCEPT WITH ALMIGHTY GOD INTERVENTION. PRAYERS WITH ACTION TO BACK OUT FAITH. COLLECTIVELY, IT REQUIRES SELF DENIAL, EFFORT AND COURAGE. THANK YOU!!!
I could testing to your submissions on nobility of the 6-3-3-4 even though I was in class three when the programme started in the public schools. The needed facilities were actually on ground for use and technical training. I could recall that this happened during the military era.
I am making this reference to point to the fact that kaki boys did a bit good to the lower levels of the country’s education back then with the expectation that the politicians will improve on this. But what do we have today, under the politicians? It is total collapse of the Nigerian education system! under their watch.
Reflection on the question, who killed 6-3-3-4? My outright answer is the political elites who by thier body language, pay lips service to national development. I wonder how national development could be attained without sound and quality education. No longer is education given in Nigeria, people only go to school and attend schools.
Also, the operated system that lacks focus is equally a factor, which of course still boils down to the ineptitude of the political elites toward attainment of an egalitarian society. I am saying this because the system did not recognise secondary education as important to earn a school lever a training position for a career path in the industries or in eeven government job. But the same level of education, whether with good grades or not, can earn someone the political offices, even the office of he president, in this country. What an irony!
There is a strong need for a political-will that would revamp the secondary occupation in the country, retoring the nobility of the 6-3-3-4 and making the system to recognised that level of education as entry point to a career path in both private and public sector. University education is not a must. It may valueable to some technical disciplines, but certainly not to every sector of social and economic endeavours.
A strong foundation is he stronghold of a mighty structure. While the primary school may be the preparatory stage, the secondary school is the start-up of the economy building.
Thanks for your thoughts, sir. Leadership! Leadership!! Leadership!! The problem of Nigeria and all other things happening within it is leadership. We may have all the wonderful ideas on how to improve education, but without leaders who’re clear, dogged and committed to putting us on the path of progress and prosperity, we are going nowhere.
I love this. Thanks Sir
Well spoken my Dr., It’s unfortunate that 6-3-3-4 educational system only produce graduates that may not be able to survive true-life reality. Nigerian educational laws and syllabus needs an urgent attention for proper improvement to empower the students with knowledge and skills that will make them productive even before graduation. I wish the government sees into this in time.