The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Monday, commenced a four-day workshop to critique the reviewed/developed pupil’s texts in three subject areas, including Islamic Religious Studies (IRS), Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and History for the education of pastoralists and migrant fisherfolk/farmers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of (NCNE), Prof. Bashir H. Usman, said the main objective of the workshop is to determine the viability of the developed pupil’s texts to the unique socio-cultural of nomads.
Prof. Usman advised the participants to be dedicated in achieving the objectives of the workshop, saying is not only relevant but also timely because of the urgent need to make available standardised reading materials for its clientele at this time.
He said: “The main objective of this workshop is to determine the viability of the developed pupil’s texts to the unique socio-cultural of nomads. Recently, we were here in Abuja to develop these texts in June this year. We are here once again, to critically evaluate the contents of these manuscripts, bearing in mind the objectives of the nomadic education programme, which endeavours to reflect the unique culture, lifestyle and work roles of the nomads. You must also remember that it is at this stage that integration takes place. I am confident that you are equal to the task. This workshop is not only relevant but also timely because of the urgent need to make available standardized reading materials for our clientele at this time.
“Undoubtedly, education is an investment to the future of every nation. For us to make an appreciable development and compete globally, we must invest adequately in education to secure the future of our children, especially nomadic children to curtail the menace of kidnapping, banditry, among others that are confronting us, thereby destabilising our educational system.
“It is my hope that the outcome of this workshop will further mainstream and integrate our clientele into the national lifestyle through relevant, qualitative and functional basic education, as well as boost their knowledge, skills and practices to contribute their own quota in the affairs of the nation.
“Contributions of resource persons towards the success of this workshop would always count. I am confident they will approach this task with great commitment and constructive analytical mind that would make these materials relevant to our target groups without compromising acceptable standards.
“I acknowledge the unflinching support of the Federal Government for providing requisite financial resources always for the Commission to conduct its activities as I also thank the Management and the entire staff of the Commission for their tremendous efforts towards achieving the desired standard in Nomadic Education Programme (NEP) and making this workshop a reality.”
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Mrs Rose Nwaji, said the Commission just completed the development of the aforementioned textual materials for levels 1 – 6 in June this year, adding that the workshop will give credibility to the completed manuscripts of the materials.
She said: “The objectives of the workshop are to critically examine the reviewed/developed pupil’s texts in Islamic Religious Studies (IRS), Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and History (Pastoralists) (levels 1 – 6) and to ensure that all the topics in the curriculum are captured in the pupil’s texts to the needs of the pastoralists and migrant fisherfolk/farmers.
“It is also to ensure the quality and standard of the developed pupil’s texts; critique pupil’s texts that can provide proper instruction on the use synchronised of curriculum and to determine the relevance of the materials to the socio-cultural values of pastoralists, migrant fisherfolk/farmers and to produce the hard-draft copies of the new developed pupil’s texts.
“You are aware that quality learning materials is essential to quality education. This is the reason the National Commission for Nomadic Education has always placed a high premium on the provision of relevant and functional education through design, development, periodic review and updating textual materials for its clientele.
“Provision of quality and suitable education for nomadic population is cardinal for effective contributions to the development of the country. It is our hope that the outcome of this workshop will further mainstream and integrate nomads into the national life. I urge all of us to join hands together to see that we come up with the best materials that can stand the test of time and at par with the conventional schools.”
