In Abuja, the Minister of Education gave directives that History must be reintroduced as an independent subject into the Basic and Junior Secondary School’s Curriculum across the Country.

History as a Buried Subject under Social studies will now stand as a Single Subject and The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave instructions at the launch of History curriculum and teacher’s guide in Abuja said it would allow students have first-hand information and know more about Nigeria’s History.

After a lot of Controversies being generated among Education stakeholders and national clamour in the country, the desire to realise History as a Stand-alone Subject is important in School’s curriculum which would groom the younger generations about Nigeria’s History and we create a Nation where Nigeria’s History never gets forgotten.

“ The Federal Ministry of Education developed its strategic plan – Education for Change: A ministerial strategic plan (2016-2019) which contained several initiatives.

“This initiative was approved by the National Council on Education during its 61st ministerial session in September 2016.’

The minister added that following this development, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) was directed to carry out the disarticulation of history from social studies curriculum. He said the new history curriculum was designed to expose students to a body of knowledge that would enable them to appreciate history as an instrument of national integration and nation building in the 21st century and beyond.

He, however, was optimistic that the curriculum would equip the younger generations of Nigerians with the knowledge of the past and how the past relates to the present.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, said a nation without history was a nation without a better future as it could not understand nor address the present situations. He said in order to move the nation forward and make it play its catalyst role as an instrument for human and national development; there was a need for the reintroduction of history in schools.

Also, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, Executive Secretary, NERDC, said the drive for the reintroduction of history as a stand-alone subject at the basic education level was necessitated by the demand expressed by various stakeholders. Junaidu said the reintroduction would deepen positive understanding of our traditional values and identities as well as the similarities and differences between the various Nigerian people.

He added that it would also promote Nigerian and African history as a requisite for better understanding and appreciation of the challenges of globalisation.

In a similar view, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) boss called for the full implementation of the content of the curriculum. (NAN)