The Federal Government has expressed concern over the increasing moral decay in Nigerian schools, emphasizing the urgent need to adopt new approaches to protect the nation’s culture and heritage for future generations. In response, the government has launched a handbook on moral regeneration and reorientation in the basic education system, along with other materials aimed at addressing moral issues among students.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, unveiled the materials during the launch of a teacher training program and sensitization campaign organized by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja. The initiative focuses on promoting moral reorientation and regeneration in schools.
Dr. Sununu stressed that education goes beyond academic knowledge, noting that true education instills values and ethics essential for building a just, peaceful, and progressive society.
“We recognize that while academic achievement is important, the development of moral character, citizenship, and a sense of responsibility in our learners is just as critical to national development. We need a generation of learners who are not only academically competent but also emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, and morally upright,” he said.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to continuous investment in teacher development, ensuring that trainings are updated to address emerging societal challenges and evolving learner needs. Dr. Sununu highlighted the importance of nurturing virtues such as integrity, empathy, and respect for others in young learners, especially in light of societal issues like terrorism, internet fraud, and youth violence.
“Our learners must be equipped with the skills to not only succeed academically but also to make ethical decisions, foster positive relationships, and contribute meaningfully to society,” he added, underscoring the importance of the teacher training program in achieving these goals.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary of UBEC, explained that the program aims to equip teachers with the tools to instill good morals in students and guide them in the right direction. He expressed optimism that the initiative would help build responsible and patriotic citizens.
“Our hope is to infuse values into our system so that children grow up with these values and respond to the needs of their fellow human beings and the country,” Bobboyi said. He also noted that the revised curriculum would be effective in addressing the learning crisis and fostering good moral values in students.
Director of Teacher Development at UBEC, Mr. Aleshin Olumayowa, urged participants to be dedicated to the program’s ideals, stressing the importance of instilling good morals both in and outside the classroom. He also called for parental involvement through PTA and School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) meetings to ensure collective success in shaping a morally upright society.
