The House of Representatives has expressed their concern over the wrong implementation of the recently revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) recently launched by the National Education Research Development Council (NERDC) by some schools.
It mandated its committee on Basic Education and Services to interface with NERC, stakeholders and relevant schools for proper explanation on the implementation of the subject, Religion and National Values (RNV).
This is sequel to a motion on the need to revisit the BEC curriculum sponsored by Hon. Rita Orji who noted that the BEC currently comprises 20 subjects which include religion and national values.
She stated that under the scheme, Islamic Studies and Christian Religious Studies are meant to be taught separately depending on a pupil’s religious inclination.
She however informed the House that the curriculum is being implemented wrongly by some schools as is the case in Ajeromi /Ifelogun Federal Constituency of Lagos State, where both subjects under RVN have been merged.
According to her, the compulsion of pupils to learn both subjects “violates the Child’s Rights Act, 2003 which preserves the right of the child not to be exposed to any religion contrary to that of its parents or guardians”.
The House lamented that the imposition of both subjects on either side will have grave consequences that could impair the stability of Nigeria.
