The 6-3-3-4 system of education, introduced in Nigeria in the late 1980s, is today, regarded as an important milestone in the country’s educational development. The system, which comprises six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education, has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s educational landscape.
The structure and objectives of the system were such that they were tailored to address in the long run the educational needs of Nigeria. The 6-3-3-4 system aims to provide a broad-based education that emphasizes vocational and technical skills, as well as academic excellence. The system is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for personal and national development.
In the area of promoting vocational education,the 6-3-3-4 system places emphasis on vocational and technical education, providing students with practical skills in areas such as agriculture, commerce, and technical subjects. This approach has helped to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among Nigerian youths.
The 6-3-3-4 system has also contributed to increased access to education in Nigeria, particularly at the primary and secondary levels. The Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, launched in 1999, has further reinforced this effort. In most States in Nigeria, both primary and secondary school education are free courtesy of the UBE.
It is,however, pertinent to point out that despite the lofty ideals the 6-3-3-4 system of education brings with it, there are still challenges and limitations associated with it. Some of these challenges include inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified teachers. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring the system’s effectiveness.
It is instructive to state that the 6-3-3-4 system,apart from having a broad curriculum that includes vocational and technical subjects, it also has provisions for core academic subjects in the curriculum. However, there is still a need to review and update the curriculum to ensure its relevance to Nigeria’s changing educational needs.
It is also imperative to point out that teacher training and development are critical components of the 6-3-3-4 system. The system requires well-trained and qualified teachers to deliver quality education to students. In the absence of qualified teachers to drive the program, it might suffer setbacks.
It is the position of Nigerian Horn that the inherent gains of the 6-3-3-4 system of education in Nigeria should be sustained. It is a fact that the system has provided a clear pathway to tertiary education, with students proceeding to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education after completing secondary education seamlessly.
Furthermore, the 6-3-3-4 system is designed to contribute to Nigeria’s national development by producing skilled and knowledgeable citizens who can contribute to the country’s economic and social growth. In the absence of this educational system, it is doubtful if any in-roads would have been made in that regard.
Conclusively, we assert that
the 6-3-3-4 system of education has played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s educational landscape. Addressing its challenges and limitations can help ensure that the system continues to contribute to the country’s development. As a nation, Nigeria is embracing the innovations in education, which the 6-3-3-4 education system is all about.
