Federal Government Unveils New National Curriculum: Lighter Load, Stronger Minds Initiative
Summary
FG launches 'Lighter Load, Stronger Minds' curriculum reform reducing subjects across all levels and introducing vocational skills training.
Federal Government Unveils New National Curriculum: Lighter Load, Stronger Minds Initiative
Nigeria's Federal Government has launched a major educational reform initiative titled "Lighter Load, Stronger Minds," aimed at transforming how students learn across all levels of education. The reform, led by Education Minister Dr. Marut Tunji Alausa and Minister of State Professor Suwaiba Sa'id Ahmad, addresses longstanding concerns about excessive subject loads in Nigerian schools.
Core Objectives of the Reform
The curriculum redesign focuses on three main principles:
- Reducing subject overload to enable deeper, more meaningful learning
- Integrating practical, market-relevant vocational skills into the curriculum
- Strengthening national history and civic values education
Subject Reductions by Education Level
The new curriculum significantly reduces the number of subjects at each level:
| Level | Previous | New |
|---|---|---|
| Primary 1-3 | 13-15 subjects | 9-10 subjects |
| Primary 4-6 | 15-17 subjects | 11-13 subjects |
| Junior Secondary (JSS 1-3) | 15-18 subjects | 12-14 subjects |
| Senior Secondary (SSS 1-3) | 15-20 subjects | 8-9 subjects |
New Vocational Skills Component
A significant addition to the curriculum is the introduction of practical trade subjects at the junior secondary level. Students will select one skill from options including:
- Solar installation
- Fashion design
- Livestock farming
- Beauty and cosmetology
- Computer hardware repair
- Horticulture
New Mandatory Subjects
The reform introduces important changes to civic education:
- Nigerian History becomes compulsory through JSS 3
- Citizenship and Heritage Studies debuts as a new subject at senior secondary level
What This Means for Students
The reduced subject load aims to allow students more time to deeply understand core concepts rather than superficially covering numerous topics. Combined with practical skills training, students will graduate with both academic knowledge and marketable abilities.
For comprehensive preparation across all subjects in the new curriculum, explore Ulearngo's study resources designed for Nigerian students.
Source: Federal Ministry of Education official announcement
