By Nasratu Kargbo
The Chairman for the National Council for Civic Education and Development (NaCEED) Ibrahim Kalilu Totangi says Civic Education will be reintroduced in schools.
He made this statement on the 17th November 2022 after the introduction and first reading of a Bill entitled the National Council of Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED) Act, 2022 by the Deputy Minister Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams.
Totangi said that they were mandated to develop a curriculum for civics, train teachers and produce teaching and learning materials in order to have civics as an institution.
He revealed that they are in the process of training over two thousand teachers in civic education in order for them to be equipped to pass on the knowledge to the pupils.
He added that all Government and Government -assisted schools are already in possession of the civic text books that he said are meant for pupils from Class One to JSS Three, adding that they’ve made sure that the subject be taught for two periods per week.
He further explained that seven books have been produced to cater for pupils in the various classes.
When asked what is to be expected after Parliament approves the law, the Chairman bemoaned that the country has lost so much over the years, stressing that with the re-introduction of the subject in schools, they hope to see a more patriotic and tolerant society.
MoPED’s Deputy Minister Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams during the introduction and first reading of the bill explained how during the 1980s, civic education was featured in the country’s education curricula, noting that as time passed they stopped teaching the subject in schools, stating that this led to the almost breakdown of civic knowledge and practice.
Explaining government’s expectation, Williams said NACCED as an agency is expected to optimize the use of civic education in building a strong sense of citizenship and nurturing of the culture of patriotism and aiding in the development of civic knowledge and understanding. He said the institution is expected to create civic skills and aptitudes, and nurture civic values and dispositions for an informed and engaged citizenry, amongst other things.
He explained through President Julius Maada Bio’s proclamation, NaCCED became the country's first institution mandated to the sole purpose of national civic education, adding that it is important to ensure reviving civic awareness and practice in nation- building.
NACCED was established for a continuous nationwide civic education on the roles and responsibilities of citizens, the duty of patriotism and nationalism, bringing government and government- related development programmes to the people for better understanding and ownership and to provide for other related matters.
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