FG Clarifies Subject Choices In Senior Secondary Curriculum

The Federal Government has addressed concerns regarding subject selection under the newly updated Senior Secondary School Curriculum, as students continue to register for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

In a statement on Saturday, Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Sa’id Suwaiba Ahmad, reassured the public that there are no limitations or restrictions on the subjects students can choose from the list of approved options.

“All subjects remain fully open for students to choose from, provided such choices are properly guided by the school authority, parents or a certified school counsellor,” the ministers said.

READ ALSO: Senate Passes Bill To Reduce Extreme Poverty In Nigeria Through Service Centres

The Ministers further clarified that students specializing in science are free to choose subjects from the social sciences or arts categories, just as those in the arts and social sciences can opt for courses traditionally associated with the sciences. They emphasized that the revised curriculum is intended to be flexible, student-focused, and adaptable to a wide range of academic interests and career goals.

Regarding Information and Communication Technology, the Ministers confirmed that the subject has been renamed to Digital Technology. They assured that this change is simply a matter of terminology and does not impact the curriculum’s content. Students who had previously studied ICT are still eligible to register for and take the Digital Technology exam.

The Ministry also responded to questions about vocational subjects, revealing that six trade-related courses have been officially approved as part of the updated curriculum.

“A student may register for any of these subjects if the school offers them and the student has been taught the subject. However, where a student has not been exposed to or offered any of the six trade subjects, there is no obligation for such a student to register for any trade subject as a third subject,” the statement said.

Reaffirming the government’s dedication to the education sector, the Ministry called on parents, school owners, counselors, and examination bodies to rely on accurate, verified information and offer proper guidance to students during this transition.

The Ministry assured that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring a smooth, accurate, and well-coordinated registration process nationwide.