PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has hinted of his administration's plan to restructure the nation's educational system to make it science and technology-oriented and make the youths self-dependent.
The president, who broke the news while declaring open a two-day maiden national education innovation exhibition in Abuja, noted that while there had been transformations within the sectors in the last couple of years, a lot still needed to be done to restore the lost glory of education in the country.
The exhibition, which was put in place by the ministry, in collaboration with the ministries of Communication Technology, Health, Labour and Productivity, Science and Technology as well as Trade and Investment, was aimed at showcasing the products of researches being conducted by the tertiary institutions spread across the country.
The president described the collaboration as desirable, as it would encourage idea-sharing amongst sister ministries, agencies and parastatals, thereby contributing to the over all development of the country.
In working towards total transformation of the Nigerian education system that will be responsive to the needs of the society, the president said what should pre-occupy the minds of every leader is entrenching a system that has bedrock of innovation. "In doing this, we must understand that innovation is not just teaching our children, rather, it is an approach towards thinking differently that must be encouraged and ultimately nurtured."
Represented by the Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, the president said, "it is very necessary that relevant agencies of government have a system through which they will continually be in touch with developments in our educational institutions. This would enable us to enhance the availability of information about innovations from our institutions. As such, we must not allow the talents of our young people to lie idle without being used. This is what this innovation is meant to achieve and we must use them.
"Consequently, I would want to state that my administration would continue to encourage and support innovations by individuals and organisations so as to enhance the progress of our society, with growing emphasis on technical and vocational education and training, with the hope that in due course, Nigeria would have a body of individuals with skills and competences in different fields to support innovators in the country."
In their remarks, both Rufa'i and her Communication Technology counterpart, Mrs. Omobola Johnson stressed the importance of the exhibition, which they said emphasised the role of education in the society as a driver in the efforts towards national growth and development, particularly leading the way in innovation to enhance the dynamism of the society.
The ministers canvassed the deep involvement of private sector in the funding of research so as to feed them with quality products and personnel capable of driving the economy.
