- Directs restoration of all removed Subjects
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The House of Representatives has warned against serious consequences over the removal of key subjects from the West African Examinations Council, WAEC,portal, Urging the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately halt the implementation of its proposed new curriculum policy nationwide.
This followed a resolution of the House in a motion of urgent public importance raised during yesterday plenary by Hon. Oboku Oforji.
Speaking in defence of his motion, Hon. Oforji informed the House that essential subjects like basic Computer Studies, Data Processing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Photography and Civic Education had been delisted from the WAEC portal on the directive of the Ministry of Education.
The lawmaker further informed his colleagues at the green chamber that this action had thrown thousands of students and schools across the country into serious confusion some months before the commencement of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE.
The federal lawmaker took time to explain that while curriculum reforms are very important and necessary for national educational development, the timing of the current implementation was inappropriate as well as disruptive.
The lawmaker observed that key subjects like Data Processing and Computer Studies are among the most widely taught in Nigerian schools because of their relevance in today’s digitally driven economy.
He argued that removing such important subjects contradicts global educational trends and best practices especially as Nigeria is currently striving hard to strengthen digital literacy and information and communication technology, ICT.
Speaking further, the lawmaker equally faulted the removal of subjects such as Civic Education, observing that it had been compulsory for years in schools and that they are very essential for building responsible citizenship in Nigeria.
He, however wondered why important subjects like those delisted would be removed from the curriculum at a time when national orientation agencies rely heavily on civic enlightenment to promote national unity, accountability as well as democratic values across board.
Lawmakers who spoke during the debate further expressed deep concern that the removal of multiple foundational subjects would definitely distort the required minimum of eight subjects required for WASSCE registration.
Those who spoke on the motion observed that students now only left with only five examinable subjects, maintaining that it would be academically impossible for SS3 students to pick up and master three new subjects within a short period of four months before the WASSCE.
Some lawmakers during plenary were visibly worried that students preparing for the 2026 WASSCE were being placed at a disadvantage that might jeopardize their academic undertaking now and in the future.
They also observed that most affected students have studied these removed subjects consistently right from SS1 to SS3, and the sudden new policy shift risks invalidating years of preparation.
The House noted that the situation had already created widespread distress among students, teachers and parents across the country.
Lawmakers, thereafter emphasised that no policy implementation should be allowed to tamper with the educational rights of students making reference to Section 18(1) of the 1999 Constitution which mandates government to ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities for all citizens.
Lawmakers argued that implementing the new curriculum policy change in the middle of an academic session violates global best standard and might lead to massive failure rates, further straining Nigeria’s already crippled education system.
The House insisted that Ministry of Education must immediately suspend the directive to prevent what they described as an avoidable national academic crisis.
Meanwhile, after an extensive deliberation by lawmakers, the green chamber resolved to call the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently reverse the implementation of the new curriculum policy to enable SS3 students to sit for WASSCE in the subjects they have been taught over the past three years.
This,the House maintained, would provide the students a fair and equitable chance of success.
The House equally resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to interface with the federal Ministry of Education and WAEC for the purpose of ensuring immediate full compliance with the directive.
Consequently, the House, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Benjamin Kalu also directed the committee to begin work immediately due to the sensitivity and urgency of the matter.
