Prof. Okebukola Highlights Qualities the New Minister of Education must Possess
Former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola has identified some qualities that the next Nigeria Minister of Education must possess. Among which a qualification in education tops.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Okebukola highlights the qualities during an interview at a colloquium with the theme “A Review of the Education Sector in Nigeria and Recommendations for Sector-Wide Reforms.’’ organised by the Government Secondary School, Owerri, Old Boys Association on in Abuja.
According to him, the new Minister of Education should be one who understands the sector, its challenges and way forward.
“It is either the person has a qualification in education, or he knows the terrain and has a passion for education.
“The person should have an uncommon courage; the person should stand tall in terms of intelligence and eloquence.
“The person should have the dexterity to navigate the minds of the leaders of the various unions in the sector — universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and at the lower levels.’’
He added that money was not the problem of the sector but judicious use of the resources available.
He equally said that the colloquium will recommend reform of teacher education; re-modeling of schools and boosting technical education.
Okebukola said that the meeting would make a formal representation to the government and follow it up periodically.
“Our curriculum should encourage students to be creative, do projects, engage in critical thinking, what we have now is topic upon topic and cramming.
“If we do not reform, we will continue producing students that have a lot of stuff but practically can do nothing,’’ he concluded.
Source: NAN
