Reps fault removal of civic education, computer studies from WAEC portal

FILE: House of Representatives.

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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, to rethink the removal of Civic Education, Computer Studies, and Electrical Installation, among others, from the West African Examination Council portal, citing the significance of the subjects to national development.

The resolution of the House followed the consideration and adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved during Thursday’s plenary by the member representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, Oboku Oforji.

Speaking on the motion, Oforji noted that though a review of the national curriculum is necessary from time to time, the affected subjects remain vital components of modern economies across the world.

He said, “While acknowledging the efforts to enhance the national curriculum, the timing is just not right.

“Trade subjects like Data Processing are among the most popular and widely offered subjects in many schools across the country because of their market relevance and students’ interest.

“Computer Studies is almost universally offered and is fundamental to modern digital literacy, making its sudden removal counterproductive at a time when the world is going digital.

“Similarly, Civic Education, which was previously a compulsory subject in all secondary schools, is no longer so as students have been mandated to study it for two years.

“Why should we remove Civic Education from our curriculum when the bulk of what the National Orientation Agency does is to enlighten citizens about their civic duties as good citizens of Nigeria?”

Oforji described as insensitive the decision to take out Computer Science when “most of our examination bodies are adopting the computer-based test model for the conduct of their examinations. How will such students learn the basics? Students in SS3 have been diligently studying these removed subjects (Data Processing, Computer Studies, Civic Education, etc.) from SS1.”

He continued, “The House is worried that the removal of three or more foundational subjects from the mandatory eight subjects limits the students and violates the minimum requirement for the examination, which is eight. Such students will now be left with five subjects.

“We are also worried that with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination barely four months away, it is academically impossible for students to select and adequately prepare for new, unstudied subjects to meet the required eight subjects.

“The House is worried that thousands of students across the federation preparing for the 2026 WASSCE to be conducted by WAEC are in distress and confusion as we speak. It is imperative that students in SS3, who are four months away from their examinations, be allowed to write the WASSCE in subjects they have been studying since SS1,” adding that “the implementation of this new curriculum should be rescinded.”

The motion was endorsed when subjected to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary session.

Following the adoption, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Education to, as a matter of urgency and considering the limited time frame, “rescind the implementation of the directive and give students a fair chance of success at the examinations.”

It also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to look into the issue and ensure compliance.

On September 3, 2025, the Federal Government announced a sweeping overhaul of the national curriculum for primary and secondary schools. Under the new structure, the government merged several older subjects — including Civic Education, Nigerian History, and Social Studies — into a new subject titled Citizenship and Heritage Studies for senior secondary school.

The reform also sought to reduce the number of subjects students take at each level and to streamline trade/vocational subjects (for non-technical schools) into a smaller, more focused list.

With these changes, confusion arose among students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders about which subjects would appear on the 2026 examination registration portal of WAEC. Reports began circulating that Civic Education (and some other traditional subjects) had been removed or renamed.

Dirisu, has over 12 years experience covering political parties, National Assembly, sports, transportation, etc, and currently works with The PUNCH

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