By Jacinta Nwachukwu
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on Thursday, launched the Adapted Nine-year Basic Education Curricula (BEC) for the blind and visually impaired to aid their learning.
Prof. Ismail Junaidu, Executive Secretary, NERDC, disclosed this in Abuja at the public presentation of the National Language Policy, National Reading Framework, Adapted Nine-year BEC and other documents.
Junaidu said that the adaptation had restored hope to the multitude of visually impaired learners as they would now be taught with curriculum contents that met their needs.
He said the virtually impaired teachers would easily deliver the curriculum contents as the examples, illustrations and teaching strategies recommended in the curriculum were unique to peculiar circumstance of learners.
“This implies that the curriculum can therefore, be used in special schools for the blind and regular schools where inclusive education is highly encouraged.
“Education is a fundamental right, as such opportunities must be created for all citizens to access quality education, irrespective of the circumstance in which they live.
“Although the implementation of the Nine-year BEC began nationwide in September 2014, opportunity was not created for learners with visual impairment to benefit from the rich contents of the curriculum,” Junaidu said.
He said this was primarily because the curriculum is yet to be adapted to suit their learning peculiarities.
The executive secretary said that NERDC, in line with the Ministerial Strategic Plan (2016-2022), considered it a necessity to embark on the adaptation of the curriculum for the education of learners with visual impairment.
“So, I am happy to inform you that the nine-year BEC has now been successfully adapted,” he said.
According to Junaidu, the unique feature of the adapted curriculum is that it addresses the needs of learners with low vision and total blindness
“The adaptation is holistic, covering all the 10 subjects for Primary One to Three; 12 subjects for Primary Four to Six and 13 subjects for JS One to Three. Thus, we adapted 35 school curricula,” he said.
The NERDC Executive Secretary, thanked the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, for all his support toward the achievements of the council’s mandate.
In his remarks, Adamu said the development of the National Language Policy and its approval by the Federal Executive Council was fundamental and critical to national development.
He said this became necessary considering the multilingual and pluralistic nature of Nigeria.
Prof. Imelda Udoh, the President, Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN) commended NERDC management for contributing to development of the appropriate resources and instruments for development of Nigerian languages.
Represented by the Vice President, LAN, Prof. Gideon Omachome, Udoh said that the association regulated activities relating to the languages of the country.
Also, the Chief of Party, Learn to Read, Mr Nurudeen Lawal, said the National Reading Framework provided education stakeholders detailed minimum proficiency expectations to inform future assessment, reporting, and planning.
Lawal said government should develop policy that would ensure pupils spend more time reading independently.
“Ensure teachers, parents and pupils are aware of all performance standards.
“Teachers should also upgrade their knowledge and skills for evidence-based reading practice,” he said.(NAN)