The Anambra State Government has expanded the Junior Secondary School curriculum with the introduction of 15 practical and entrepreneurial subjects aimed at equipping students with hands-on skills from an early age. The initiative is designed to nurture creativity, encourage innovation, and prepare young learners for self-reliance in a rapidly changing economy.
Unveiling the new curriculum at Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, explained that the reform moves education beyond rote learning to a more skills-driven approach. According to her, the focus is on practical knowledge that can translate into real-world problem-solving, job creation, and economic productivity.
Among the newly introduced subjects are solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture, plumbing, hairstyling, digital literacy, information technology, and robotics. These courses are structured to expose students to vocational and technological competencies alongside their conventional academic studies, helping them discover talents and interests early in life.
The initiative aligns with the broader education reforms of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, which include the recruitment of additional teachers, improved learning environments, and efforts to maintain one of the lowest out-of-school rates in the country. Government officials believe that embedding entrepreneurial education at the junior secondary level will strengthen the state’s human capital and reduce future unemployment.
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While the policy has been widely welcomed, discussions continue around teacher preparedness, availability of training equipment, and whether junior secondary students are developmentally ready for some of the technical subjects. Education stakeholders, however, agree that with proper implementation and continuous teacher training, the curriculum could redefine skills-based learning in Anambra State.