The Federal Government has moved to reassure students, parents and schools over subject selection under the newly updated Senior Secondary School Curriculum as registration continues for the West African Examinations Council examinations, saying there are no restrictions on the subjects students can choose.
In a statement issued late on Saturday, December 6, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Sa’id Suwaiba Ahmad, clarified that all approved subjects remain open to students, provided their choices are properly guided by school authorities, parents or certified school counsellors. “All subjects remain fully open for students to choose from, provided such choices are properly guided by the school authority, parents or a certified school counsellor,” the ministers said.
They further explained that students offering science subjects are free to select courses from the social sciences or arts, just as those in the arts and social sciences can opt for science related subjects, stressing that the revised curriculum is designed to be flexible, student focused and adaptable to diverse academic interests and career goals. On concerns surrounding Information and Communication Technology, the ministers confirmed that the subject has only been renamed Digital Technology, adding that the change is merely in terminology and does not affect the content of what is taught. They assured that students who previously studied ICT remain fully eligible to register for and sit for the Digital Technology examination.
The ministry also addressed questions about vocational subjects, disclosing that six trade related courses have now been officially approved under the updated curriculum. “A student may register for any of these subjects if the school offers them and the student has been taught the subject. However, where a student has not been exposed to or offered any of the six trade subjects, there is no obligation for such a student to register for any trade subject as a third subject,” the statement said. Reiterating the government’s commitment to the education sector, the ministry urged parents, school owners, counsellors and examination bodies to rely on accurate and verified information and to give proper guidance to students during the transition, while assuring that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring a smooth, accurate and well coordinated registration process nationwide.
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