Kehinde Fajobi
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has strongly criticised the proposed shift from Nigeria’s current 9-3-4 education system to a 12-4 model, as misguided and calling it a superficial and fails to address the country’s education issues.
The proposal, introduced by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, seeks to extend basic education to 12 years and add at least four years of tertiary education.
However, CHRICED argues that this change does not address the fundamental problems in Nigeria’s education system.
In a statement released on Sunday, signed by Executive Director Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, CHRICED emphasised that Nigeria’s education system needs comprehensive reform.
It listed key challenges including a decline in educational standards, outdated curricula, shortages of instructional materials, and widespread corruption and mismanagement.
These issues, CHRICED argued, have led to a significant brain drain and hindered both the quality and accessibility of education in the country.
The organisation also expressed concern that the proposal overlooks the pressing issue of the large number of out-of-school children, who are deprived of their educational rights.
CHRICED pointed to countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and South Africa, which have implemented localised solutions to meet educational needs, and called for Nigeria to focus on resolving core issues like poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and teacher training.
CHRICED urged the federal government to abandon the 12-4 proposal in favour of more impactful reforms that would create a competitive and effective education system.
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“This initiative, while perhaps well-intentioned, represents a significant misallocation of priorities at a time when Nigeria’s educational landscape is in dire need of comprehensive reform,” the statement said.
The organisation also stressed the urgent need for increased funding for educational institutions, the resolution of teacher shortages, and updates to the curriculum to meet modern demands.
Without meaningful reforms, CHRICED warned that Nigeria’s education system would continue to decline, leading to instability and poor developmental outcomes.
“We believe that the proposal by the Honourable Minister will not enhance education quality in any meaningful way,” the statement concluded, urging President Tinubu’s administration to focus on reforms that address the root causes of Nigeria’s education crisis.