THE Federal Government has expressed worry over numerous societal challenges, such as increase in incidents of terrorism, internet fraud, sexual deviance, indiscipline, and violence among young people, and has taken measures to ensure moral re-orientation and regeneration in schools across the country.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, spoke on Wednesday during the flag-off of training of teachers in basic education on moral regeneration and reorientation in basic education and the use of the sensitization materials on moral education.
Sununu urged youth across the country to shun drug abuse which he noted as one of the things that lead young people into committing crimes and criminality in society.
He said the event represents a critical milestone in the efforts to strengthen the moral framework of the educational system and build future generations of learners and citizens equipped not just with knowledge but with ethical and moral values to guide their personal and professional lives.
“Education, as we all know, goes beyond the acquisition of academic knowledge. True education imbues in learners the values and ethics that are foundational for building a just, peaceful, and progressive society.
“We all also recognize that, while academic achievement is important, the development of moral character, citizenship, and a sense of responsibility in our learners is just as critical to national development,” the Minister said.
He pointed out that at the core of any progressive society are individuals who possess the virtues of integrity, empathy, and respect for others, adding that these are traits that must be nurtured in our children from their earliest years.
“The UBE Programme, as an integral part of Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), places emphasis on inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Within this framework, moral reorientation and regeneration are essential components in building the social capital that our nation needs.
“As our country is witnessing several societal challenges, such as increase in incidents of terrorism, internet fraud, sexual deviance, indiscipline, and violence among young people, the need for moral regeneration cannot be overstated,” he said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, said the programme is aimed at equipping teachers with skills to imbibe good morals in learners and also help guide them in the right direction.
Dr Bobboyi was upbeat that the programme would build responsible learners who will be good and patriotic citizens.
“Our hope is to see how we can infuse values within our system so that the children that are growing up will grow imbibing these values and be responsive to the needs of their fellow human beings and the needs of the country,” he stated.
He said the revised basic education curriculum will be effective in the classroom, address the current learning crisis in the country and help children imbibe good moral values.
Director Teacher Development, UBEC, This initiative is part of the Commission’s effort aimed at curbing the spate of moral decadence in our schools as well as in society, and by doing so, producing learners that are morally sound and can contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.
This programme could not have been implemented at a better time than now, especially when our country is experiencing an upsurge in several vices among learners in our schools and among the youth.
The incessant incidence of drug abuse, sexual abuse, internet fraud — popularly known as ‘yahoo-yahoo’, cultism, and examination malpractice among other forms of immoral behaviours, are challenges doting our schools and which we all need to rise up against, if we are unable to achieve this, the attainment of the life goals and future of these learners, youths, and schools remains bleak.
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