MAJOR TRENDS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN
NIGERIA
BY
A. A. ADEYINKA
Department of Educational Foundations, University of Ilorin, Ilorin.
ABSTRACT
This is an historical survey of the major trends in the development of the school curricula
in Nigeria. The early curriculum is examined in relation to the relative roles of the Christian
Missions and the Colonial Government vis-a-vis the influence of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate. In independent Nigeria, the main trends in curriculum
development are closely related to the efforts of the Regional and Federal Governments and,
more importantly, the impact of the West African Examinations Council which, through the wide
variety of subjects examined externally, dictated the content of education in the Nigerian
Secondary Grammar Schools .
I. INTRODUCTION: THE CONCEPT OF THE CURRICULUM
The curriculum could be defined in various ways In a narrow sense, the curriculum could
be considered to be synonymous with the syllabus of a subject, for example Chemistry or History
curriculum. In a wider sense, the curriculum is considered to be bigger than the syllabus of a
subject as it embodies other strategies of teaching and learning. Indeed,
The curriculum is really the entire programme of the schools' work. It is the
essential means of education. It is everything that the students and their teachers
do. Thus, it is two-fold in nature, being made up of activities, the things done, and
of the materials with which they are done (Rugg, 1936).
Carter Good (1959) defined the curriculum as ‘a group of courses or planned experiences
which a student has under the guidance of the school or college. We may modify this idea and
define the curriculum as an integrated group of courses and planned activities which pupils or
students have under the guidance of the school or college and the instruction of a number of
teachers. Essentially, the curriculum should contain four main components or elements: the
objectives or purpose, the content or subject-matter, the method or ways of passing on
knowledge, and evaluation or assessment (i.e. the procedure for testing whether or not the pupils
or students have benefited from the instructions given). So we see that the syllabus, or content is
only one of the four components of curriculum theory ,
In a more general sense, the curriculum is defined as the sum-total of all the subjects
taught in a school, college or university, that is all the subjects or groups of courses appearing on
the time table of an educational institution. For example, where a Secondary School offers
History, Geography, Christian Religious Knowledge, English Language, Literature in English,
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Government, Economics and Principles
of Accounts, these constitute the curriculum of the school. But deeper down the line is, again, the
curriculum of each of these subjects which would, in this case, embody the four elements or
components stated above.
The idea of the curriculum, as presented here, is only applicable to formal or class-room
education, and not to traditional African or Nigerian indigenous education which is basically
informal and so without a defined curriculum. The first school curriculum that Nigeria had was the
NIGERIA
BY
A. A. ADEYINKA
Department of Educational Foundations, University of Ilorin, Ilorin.
ABSTRACT
This is an historical survey of the major trends in the development of the school curricula
in Nigeria. The early curriculum is examined in relation to the relative roles of the Christian
Missions and the Colonial Government vis-a-vis the influence of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate. In independent Nigeria, the main trends in curriculum
development are closely related to the efforts of the Regional and Federal Governments and,
more importantly, the impact of the West African Examinations Council which, through the wide
variety of subjects examined externally, dictated the content of education in the Nigerian
Secondary Grammar Schools .
I. INTRODUCTION: THE CONCEPT OF THE CURRICULUM
The curriculum could be defined in various ways In a narrow sense, the curriculum could
be considered to be synonymous with the syllabus of a subject, for example Chemistry or History
curriculum. In a wider sense, the curriculum is considered to be bigger than the syllabus of a
subject as it embodies other strategies of teaching and learning. Indeed,
The curriculum is really the entire programme of the schools' work. It is the
essential means of education. It is everything that the students and their teachers
do. Thus, it is two-fold in nature, being made up of activities, the things done, and
of the materials with which they are done (Rugg, 1936).
Carter Good (1959) defined the curriculum as ‘a group of courses or planned experiences
which a student has under the guidance of the school or college. We may modify this idea and
define the curriculum as an integrated group of courses and planned activities which pupils or
students have under the guidance of the school or college and the instruction of a number of
teachers. Essentially, the curriculum should contain four main components or elements: the
objectives or purpose, the content or subject-matter, the method or ways of passing on
knowledge, and evaluation or assessment (i.e. the procedure for testing whether or not the pupils
or students have benefited from the instructions given). So we see that the syllabus, or content is
only one of the four components of curriculum theory ,
In a more general sense, the curriculum is defined as the sum-total of all the subjects
taught in a school, college or university, that is all the subjects or groups of courses appearing on
the time table of an educational institution. For example, where a Secondary School offers
History, Geography, Christian Religious Knowledge, English Language, Literature in English,
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Government, Economics and Principles
of Accounts, these constitute the curriculum of the school. But deeper down the line is, again, the
curriculum of each of these subjects which would, in this case, embody the four elements or
components stated above.
The idea of the curriculum, as presented here, is only applicable to formal or class-room
education, and not to traditional African or Nigerian indigenous education which is basically
informal and so without a defined curriculum. The first school curriculum that Nigeria had was the
one brought down by the Christian Missions. This was followed by the curriculum prescribed by
various examining bodies. Let us briefly examine these two categories of curriculum.
II. THE MISSIONARY CURRICULUM, 1842-1882
The first major trend in curriculum development in Nigeria was the arrival of the Christian
Missions towards the end of the first half of the nineteenth century, followed closely by the
establishment of missionary schools and the teaching of the Four R's.
From the time of their arrival from September 1842, until 1882, the Christian Missions
alone controlled the school curriculum in Nigeria. They alone opened, maintained and controlled
schools. They alone formulated the objectives, content and methods of teaching the subjects
included in the curriculum of those schools. Basically, the schools provided instructions in the four
R's: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Religion (Fajana, 1969). Apart from Badagry, Abeokuta and
Lagos, where the missionaries opened their first set of primary schools, there were also primary
schools in Ijaiye, Ogbomosho, Ibadan and later across the Niger in Calabar, opened through the
joint efforts of the Christian missions and the local communities.
The main objectives of the missionaries in opening these primary schools were to train
teacher-catechists, lay-readers and cooks, particularly to give the new converts basic instructions
in the English Language so that they could be more useful in the missionary work which was the
missionaries' primary assignment in Nigeria. The early mission schools were not really separated
from the Church. Apart from basic instructions in the four R's, therefore, the new converts were
gradually initiated into British ways of life as they lived with their pastor-teachers.
Although the missionaries intended to confine their activities initially to the provision of
primary education, local adherents of the various Christian denominations agitated for the
opening of secondary grammar schools in their respective local environments. These local
demands led to the opening of the Church Missionary Society (C. M. S.) Grammar School, Lagos,
in June 1859 and subsequently the Methodist Boys' High School, the Methodist Girls' High
School and the Baptist Academy. Although these grammar schools were opened in response to
local demands, the curriculum was controlled by the missionaries. The subjects offered included
English Grammar and Composition, History, Geography, Bookkeeping, Euclid's Elements, Latin
and Greek Grammar and Plain Treastises on Natural Philosophy. Hebrew and French were
taught from time to time, depending on the availability of teachers. Gymnastics also featured
prominently in the early grammar-school curriculum. Geometry, Trigonometry, Drawing, Rhetoric,
Logic, Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, Mythology and Antiquities, Chemistry, Physiology,
Geology and Botany were also taught (Ajayi, 1963). These subjects were selected from the list of
subjects being taught in British Grammar Schools at that time, and this was an aspect of the
British impact on the development of the Nigerian Secondary Grammar School curriculum
(Adeyinka, 1983). Very little consideration was given to the future needs of the pupils, because
this type of curriculum was considered adequate for the type of white-collar jobs that were
normally available for the products of the early grammar schools. Thus, the British literary
tradition was strictly followed in the early Nigerian grammar schools, so that training in agriculture
or preparation for self-employment in other areas did not constitute an integral part of the early
curriculum.
As there was neither the School Certificate nor the G. C. e. (O-Level) examination during
this period, the pupils in these early grammar schools were prepared for various certificates of the
Colleges of Preceptors of London. For example, pupils in class 4 were usually prepared for the
Third Class Certificate of the College of Preceptors, pupils in class 5 for the Second-class
certificate and those in class 6 for the First-class certificate which was also often taken by
teachers in lower secondary and upper primary schools.
The First-class certificate of the College of Preceptors was the highest academic
various examining bodies. Let us briefly examine these two categories of curriculum.
II. THE MISSIONARY CURRICULUM, 1842-1882
The first major trend in curriculum development in Nigeria was the arrival of the Christian
Missions towards the end of the first half of the nineteenth century, followed closely by the
establishment of missionary schools and the teaching of the Four R's.
From the time of their arrival from September 1842, until 1882, the Christian Missions
alone controlled the school curriculum in Nigeria. They alone opened, maintained and controlled
schools. They alone formulated the objectives, content and methods of teaching the subjects
included in the curriculum of those schools. Basically, the schools provided instructions in the four
R's: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Religion (Fajana, 1969). Apart from Badagry, Abeokuta and
Lagos, where the missionaries opened their first set of primary schools, there were also primary
schools in Ijaiye, Ogbomosho, Ibadan and later across the Niger in Calabar, opened through the
joint efforts of the Christian missions and the local communities.
The main objectives of the missionaries in opening these primary schools were to train
teacher-catechists, lay-readers and cooks, particularly to give the new converts basic instructions
in the English Language so that they could be more useful in the missionary work which was the
missionaries' primary assignment in Nigeria. The early mission schools were not really separated
from the Church. Apart from basic instructions in the four R's, therefore, the new converts were
gradually initiated into British ways of life as they lived with their pastor-teachers.
Although the missionaries intended to confine their activities initially to the provision of
primary education, local adherents of the various Christian denominations agitated for the
opening of secondary grammar schools in their respective local environments. These local
demands led to the opening of the Church Missionary Society (C. M. S.) Grammar School, Lagos,
in June 1859 and subsequently the Methodist Boys' High School, the Methodist Girls' High
School and the Baptist Academy. Although these grammar schools were opened in response to
local demands, the curriculum was controlled by the missionaries. The subjects offered included
English Grammar and Composition, History, Geography, Bookkeeping, Euclid's Elements, Latin
and Greek Grammar and Plain Treastises on Natural Philosophy. Hebrew and French were
taught from time to time, depending on the availability of teachers. Gymnastics also featured
prominently in the early grammar-school curriculum. Geometry, Trigonometry, Drawing, Rhetoric,
Logic, Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, Mythology and Antiquities, Chemistry, Physiology,
Geology and Botany were also taught (Ajayi, 1963). These subjects were selected from the list of
subjects being taught in British Grammar Schools at that time, and this was an aspect of the
British impact on the development of the Nigerian Secondary Grammar School curriculum
(Adeyinka, 1983). Very little consideration was given to the future needs of the pupils, because
this type of curriculum was considered adequate for the type of white-collar jobs that were
normally available for the products of the early grammar schools. Thus, the British literary
tradition was strictly followed in the early Nigerian grammar schools, so that training in agriculture
or preparation for self-employment in other areas did not constitute an integral part of the early
curriculum.
As there was neither the School Certificate nor the G. C. e. (O-Level) examination during
this period, the pupils in these early grammar schools were prepared for various certificates of the
Colleges of Preceptors of London. For example, pupils in class 4 were usually prepared for the
Third Class Certificate of the College of Preceptors, pupils in class 5 for the Second-class
certificate and those in class 6 for the First-class certificate which was also often taken by
teachers in lower secondary and upper primary schools.
The First-class certificate of the College of Preceptors was the highest academic
qualification available at the time and holders of the certificate were qualified for highly paid jobs
in the schools, in the civil service and in the Church.
III. THE EARLY SECULAR CURRICULUM/I AND THE IMPACT OF BRITISH
EXAMINING BODIES, 1882 - 1925
The year 1882 was a landmark in the history of education in Nigeria, a major trend in the
development of the curriculum, for it was from that year that the government began to show
interest in the development of the school curriculum when it passed an Education Act which
provided for a Board of Education to control the development of education at all levels in English-
speaking West African Countries. However, it was not until 1887, when the first Nigerian
Education Act was passed, that a separate Board of Education was constituted for Nigeria. The
Act provided for 'Assisted' and 'Non-Assisted' schools and invested in the Nigerian Board of
Education the authority to control and direct the development of education in the country. All
'Assisted Schools' were qualified to receive government grants, worked out on the principle of
'payment by results' and subject to favourable inspection reports. The implication of this for
curriculum development in Nigeria was that a majority of the schools, in an attempt to attract
government grants, began to employ more qualified staff to teach most of the subjects available
in the school curriculum of the time in order to record a higher percentage of passes in those
subjects. Considerable emphasis was placed on the teaching of English and Arithmetic, two of
the subjects required for employment in the civil service.
Up to 1909, the only external examination available to Nigerian Grammar-School
candidates remained that of the College of Preceptors of London. The first recorded success of
Nigerian candidates in that examination was in 1892, when Michael Cole and Simon Pratt of the
C. M. S. Grammar School, Lagos, passed the examination with First Class Certificate.
In December 1910, one year after the opening of the first Government Secondary School
(King's College, Lagos), the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (U.-C. L. E.
S.) created a centre for its local examinations in Lagos. Thus, King's College, Lagos, led other
grammar schools in Nigeria in presenting candidates for Cambridge Local examinations. The fact
that a colonial centre was created in Lagos at that time was of considerable significance in the
history of education in Nigeria. Indeed, the subjects examined by this body (listed in Table 1)
significantly affected the development of the Nigerian grammar -school curriculum because the
subjects taken by the Nigerian candidates were a reflection of the subjects included in the
grammar-school curriculum of the time.
Other grammar schools in the country soon followed the example of King's College with
the result that in the years following 1910, growing numbers of school candidates consistently
entered for the Cambridge Local Examinations. From the year 1910 when Cambridge Local
Examinations were introduced into Nigeria, the Nigerian Secondary Grammar-School curriculum
was to a large extent determined by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, because
these schools prepared their pupils for subjects normally examined by that body.
Table 1 shows that subjects examined by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate,
with asterisks (*) on those of them taught in Nigerian Grammar Schools during the period covered
in this section.
TABLE 1: SUBJECTS EXAMINED BY THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LOCAL
EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE, 1910 - 1925
Preliminary Junior Senior (Schl. Cert, from 1923)
1. Writing & Dictation+ 1. Writing & 1. Arithmetic
in the schools, in the civil service and in the Church.
III. THE EARLY SECULAR CURRICULUM/I AND THE IMPACT OF BRITISH
EXAMINING BODIES, 1882 - 1925
The year 1882 was a landmark in the history of education in Nigeria, a major trend in the
development of the curriculum, for it was from that year that the government began to show
interest in the development of the school curriculum when it passed an Education Act which
provided for a Board of Education to control the development of education at all levels in English-
speaking West African Countries. However, it was not until 1887, when the first Nigerian
Education Act was passed, that a separate Board of Education was constituted for Nigeria. The
Act provided for 'Assisted' and 'Non-Assisted' schools and invested in the Nigerian Board of
Education the authority to control and direct the development of education in the country. All
'Assisted Schools' were qualified to receive government grants, worked out on the principle of
'payment by results' and subject to favourable inspection reports. The implication of this for
curriculum development in Nigeria was that a majority of the schools, in an attempt to attract
government grants, began to employ more qualified staff to teach most of the subjects available
in the school curriculum of the time in order to record a higher percentage of passes in those
subjects. Considerable emphasis was placed on the teaching of English and Arithmetic, two of
the subjects required for employment in the civil service.
Up to 1909, the only external examination available to Nigerian Grammar-School
candidates remained that of the College of Preceptors of London. The first recorded success of
Nigerian candidates in that examination was in 1892, when Michael Cole and Simon Pratt of the
C. M. S. Grammar School, Lagos, passed the examination with First Class Certificate.
In December 1910, one year after the opening of the first Government Secondary School
(King's College, Lagos), the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (U.-C. L. E.
S.) created a centre for its local examinations in Lagos. Thus, King's College, Lagos, led other
grammar schools in Nigeria in presenting candidates for Cambridge Local examinations. The fact
that a colonial centre was created in Lagos at that time was of considerable significance in the
history of education in Nigeria. Indeed, the subjects examined by this body (listed in Table 1)
significantly affected the development of the Nigerian grammar -school curriculum because the
subjects taken by the Nigerian candidates were a reflection of the subjects included in the
grammar-school curriculum of the time.
Other grammar schools in the country soon followed the example of King's College with
the result that in the years following 1910, growing numbers of school candidates consistently
entered for the Cambridge Local Examinations. From the year 1910 when Cambridge Local
Examinations were introduced into Nigeria, the Nigerian Secondary Grammar-School curriculum
was to a large extent determined by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, because
these schools prepared their pupils for subjects normally examined by that body.
Table 1 shows that subjects examined by the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate,
with asterisks (*) on those of them taught in Nigerian Grammar Schools during the period covered
in this section.
TABLE 1: SUBJECTS EXAMINED BY THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LOCAL
EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE, 1910 - 1925
Preliminary Junior Senior (Schl. Cert, from 1923)
1. Writing & Dictation+ 1. Writing & 1. Arithmetic
Arithmetic+*
Religious Knowledge*
English*
English History*
Geography*
Latin
French**
German
Geometry**
Algebra
Exp. Science*
Chemistry*
Heat*
Botany*
Dictation+*
2. Arithmetic* 2.
3. Religious 3.
Knowledge
4. Eng. Lang & 4.
Litt.*
5. History & 5.
Geography*
6. Latin 6.
7. Greek** 7.
8. French** 8.
9. German 9.
10. Spanish 10.
11. Dutch 11.
12. Mathematics* 12.
13. Elementary 13.
Exp. Science*
14. Chemistry* 14.
15. Physics* 15.
16. Biology & 16.
Physical
Geography*
17. Book- 17.
keeping*
18. Drawing*
19. Music**
2. Arithmetic* 2.
3. Religious 3.
Knowledge
4. Eng. Lang & 4.
Litt.*
5. History & 5.
Geography*
6. Latin 6.
7. Greek** 7.
8. French** 8.
9. German 9.
10. Spanish 10.
11. Dutch 11.
12. Mathematics* 12.
13. Elementary 13.
Exp. Science*
14. Chemistry* 14.
15. Physics* 15.
16. Biology & 16.
Physical
Geography*
17. Book- 17.
keeping*
18. Drawing*
19. Music**
Religious Knowledge
Eng. Lang. & Litt.*
History & Geography
Latin*
Greek
French**
German
Spanish
Dutch
Mathematics*
Elementary Exp. Science*
Chemistry*
Physics*
Biology & Physical Geo.*
Drawing**
Music**
Eng. Lang. & Litt.*
History & Geography
Latin*
Greek
French**
German
Spanish
Dutch
Mathematics*
Elementary Exp. Science*
Chemistry*
Physics*
Biology & Physical Geo.*
Drawing**
Music**
Source: U. C. L. E. S. Reports— 1910—1925
+ Compulsory
* Taught in most secondary grammar school in Nigeria.
** Occasionally taught in some secondary grammar schools in Nigeria.
The curriculum of the primary school included writing and Dictation, Arithmetic, English
(Grammar, English Composition, Religious Knowledge, History and Geography. Pupils were
prepared for the Middle Four Examination organised by the Department of Education established
in 1903. Most of the grammar schools of the time had primary departments.
The teacher training institutions also followed an academic curriculum, but they combined
this with pedagogical training. The Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar (opend in 1846),
St. Andrew's College, Oyo (opened in 1896) and Wesley College, Ibadan (opened in 1905)
provided instructions in the basic Arts subjects, Elementary Science, domestic duties and infant
care and teacher education in general. Each of these institutions paid considerable attention to
the teaching of Physical Training and Christian Religious Knowledge (Solaru, 1964), apparently to
aid the physical and moral development of the students.
While primary school pupils and students in teacher training colleges were locally
examined at the end of their courses, secondary school pupils were consistently externally
examined. Here lies the importance of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Syndicate. However, the impact of U. C. L. E. S. during this period was more noticeable in the
senior local examination, which became the School Certificate in 1923. This had a wide
implication for the development of the curriculum of the senior classes of Nigerian Grammar
Schools. Thus, the introduction of a new subject at the Senior Local (School Certificate)
Examination consistency attracted positive responses from secondary grammar schools which
immediately included this in their schools' curricular. For example, the introduction of Applied
Mathematics, Experimental Science, Botany, Natural History of Animals, Needlework and
Hygiene between 1916 and 1920 led to the inclusion of these subjects in the Nigerian grammar-
school curriculum during these years.
+ Compulsory
* Taught in most secondary grammar school in Nigeria.
** Occasionally taught in some secondary grammar schools in Nigeria.
The curriculum of the primary school included writing and Dictation, Arithmetic, English
(Grammar, English Composition, Religious Knowledge, History and Geography. Pupils were
prepared for the Middle Four Examination organised by the Department of Education established
in 1903. Most of the grammar schools of the time had primary departments.
The teacher training institutions also followed an academic curriculum, but they combined
this with pedagogical training. The Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar (opend in 1846),
St. Andrew's College, Oyo (opened in 1896) and Wesley College, Ibadan (opened in 1905)
provided instructions in the basic Arts subjects, Elementary Science, domestic duties and infant
care and teacher education in general. Each of these institutions paid considerable attention to
the teaching of Physical Training and Christian Religious Knowledge (Solaru, 1964), apparently to
aid the physical and moral development of the students.
While primary school pupils and students in teacher training colleges were locally
examined at the end of their courses, secondary school pupils were consistently externally
examined. Here lies the importance of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Syndicate. However, the impact of U. C. L. E. S. during this period was more noticeable in the
senior local examination, which became the School Certificate in 1923. This had a wide
implication for the development of the curriculum of the senior classes of Nigerian Grammar
Schools. Thus, the introduction of a new subject at the Senior Local (School Certificate)
Examination consistency attracted positive responses from secondary grammar schools which
immediately included this in their schools' curricular. For example, the introduction of Applied
Mathematics, Experimental Science, Botany, Natural History of Animals, Needlework and
Hygiene between 1916 and 1920 led to the inclusion of these subjects in the Nigerian grammar-
school curriculum during these years.
Also, changes in the syllabuses of the Senior Local (School Certificate) Examination
subjects affected the content of these subjects in the senior classes of the grammar schools. For
example, the changes in the History syllabus for the December 1920 Senior Local Examination
led to an adjustment, during that year, in the subject-matter of History at Abeokuta Grammar
School to include topics on 'History of England, 1815 — 1914’, one of the alternative papers
introduced that year.
The above evidence illustrates the link between external examinations and subject
offerings in the grammar schools. Therefore, external examinations, particularly the Cambridge
Local Examinations, played a major role in curriculum development in Nigeria at that time.
In the development of the secondary grammar-school curriculum, therefore, the period
1910 — 1925 was clearly one of complete dependence on the guidance and direction of British
Examining Boards, Apart from U. C. L. E. S., the University of London Schools Examinations
Council also indirectly influenced the content of the school and colleges curricula in Nigeria, for
although the London Matriculation Examination conducted by the council was meant for private
candidates, many grammar-school pupils-and students in teacher training colleges took it
between 1912 and 1925.
This was the situation in Nigeria at the time the Phelps-Stokes Commission Report was
published in 1925.
IV. PHELPS-STOKES AND AFTER, 1925 — 1952
The main observation of the Phelps-Stokes Commission was that education in Nigeria
was not adapted to the needs of the people (Lewis, 1962). This was because there was too much
emphasis on the academic curriculum. The Nigerians in general preferred the academic
curriculum to the technical or agricultural one because the past generations of pupils and
students following it had used their qualifications as a ladder to the Universities and other higher
institutions of learning, and in effect as a passport for attractive white-collar jobs. The commission
therefore recommended that education in Nigeria should be adapted to the real needs of the
people. Thus, in subjects like History, Geography, Biology and the like, emphasis should be on
African countries rather than on European countries. Further, attempts should be made to train
the masses on the one hand and local leaders on the other. The subsequent attempts by the
colonial administration to provide technical and agricultural education were probably the results of
a genuine acceptance of the Phelps-Stokes recommendations. But the truth was that the
Nigerians themselves consistently clamoured for more and more academic education of the
Western type.
In the same year, the Advisory Committee on Native Education in British Tropical Africa
made a similar observation and recommended that the content and methods of teaching various
subjects in the school curriculum should be adopted to suit African life and surroundings.
Apart from these two influences, the Education Ordinance of 1926 exerted considerable
influence on the development of the school curricula in Nigeria. The Ordinance, among other
things, provided for the rapid growth of the schools' curricula through regular inspection of the
subjects taught in the schools and the registration of teachers. Although the ordinance provided
for the revision of the grants-in-aid system, the system of ‘payment by results’ continued. With the
provision for regular inspection of the schools and the establishment of school committees
charged with the responsibility for regularising the educational activities of the schools, the
continuation of the scheme of ‘payment by results’ meant that schools would continue to appoint,
as much as possible, the best qualified teachers of each subject in the schools' curricula so that
their pupils could pass well in the examinations set in the various subjects and thereby qualify the
schools for adequate grants-in-aid.
subjects affected the content of these subjects in the senior classes of the grammar schools. For
example, the changes in the History syllabus for the December 1920 Senior Local Examination
led to an adjustment, during that year, in the subject-matter of History at Abeokuta Grammar
School to include topics on 'History of England, 1815 — 1914’, one of the alternative papers
introduced that year.
The above evidence illustrates the link between external examinations and subject
offerings in the grammar schools. Therefore, external examinations, particularly the Cambridge
Local Examinations, played a major role in curriculum development in Nigeria at that time.
In the development of the secondary grammar-school curriculum, therefore, the period
1910 — 1925 was clearly one of complete dependence on the guidance and direction of British
Examining Boards, Apart from U. C. L. E. S., the University of London Schools Examinations
Council also indirectly influenced the content of the school and colleges curricula in Nigeria, for
although the London Matriculation Examination conducted by the council was meant for private
candidates, many grammar-school pupils-and students in teacher training colleges took it
between 1912 and 1925.
This was the situation in Nigeria at the time the Phelps-Stokes Commission Report was
published in 1925.
IV. PHELPS-STOKES AND AFTER, 1925 — 1952
The main observation of the Phelps-Stokes Commission was that education in Nigeria
was not adapted to the needs of the people (Lewis, 1962). This was because there was too much
emphasis on the academic curriculum. The Nigerians in general preferred the academic
curriculum to the technical or agricultural one because the past generations of pupils and
students following it had used their qualifications as a ladder to the Universities and other higher
institutions of learning, and in effect as a passport for attractive white-collar jobs. The commission
therefore recommended that education in Nigeria should be adapted to the real needs of the
people. Thus, in subjects like History, Geography, Biology and the like, emphasis should be on
African countries rather than on European countries. Further, attempts should be made to train
the masses on the one hand and local leaders on the other. The subsequent attempts by the
colonial administration to provide technical and agricultural education were probably the results of
a genuine acceptance of the Phelps-Stokes recommendations. But the truth was that the
Nigerians themselves consistently clamoured for more and more academic education of the
Western type.
In the same year, the Advisory Committee on Native Education in British Tropical Africa
made a similar observation and recommended that the content and methods of teaching various
subjects in the school curriculum should be adopted to suit African life and surroundings.
Apart from these two influences, the Education Ordinance of 1926 exerted considerable
influence on the development of the school curricula in Nigeria. The Ordinance, among other
things, provided for the rapid growth of the schools' curricula through regular inspection of the
subjects taught in the schools and the registration of teachers. Although the ordinance provided
for the revision of the grants-in-aid system, the system of ‘payment by results’ continued. With the
provision for regular inspection of the schools and the establishment of school committees
charged with the responsibility for regularising the educational activities of the schools, the
continuation of the scheme of ‘payment by results’ meant that schools would continue to appoint,
as much as possible, the best qualified teachers of each subject in the schools' curricula so that
their pupils could pass well in the examinations set in the various subjects and thereby qualify the
schools for adequate grants-in-aid.
Another significant attempt by the Government to influence the development of the
grammar-school curriculum was the directive it gave in 1930 that in every subject offered in
Nigerian Secondary Schools, Form 1 should attain a standard equivalent to that required for a
pass in the Cambridge University Preliminary Local Examination; that Form II should attain a
standard equivalent to that required for a pass in the Cambridge Junior School Certificate
Examination; Form IV that of the Cambridge School Certificate or London Matriculation
Examination; and Form VI that of the Cambridge Higher School Certificate E animation. The
result was that in spite of the observations and recommendations of the Phelps-Stokes
Commission and the Advisory Committee, the content of formal education in Nigeria was still
closely patterned along the British line as the British examining bodies continued to exert
considerable influence on the grammar-school curriculum.
While U. C. L. E. S. continued to make its local examinations available to school
candidates in Nigeria throughout this period (as did the Oxford Delegacy during the years 1929 —
1937) the University of London continued to make the London Matriculation Examination
available to private candidates, including student-teachers from Wesley College (Ibadan), St.
Andrew's College (Oyo) and Hope Waddell Training Institution (Calabar). In general, the primary
school and teacher training curricula were similar to those of the preceding period. In the case of
the grammar schools, the major trends in the development of the curriculum are shown in Table
2.
One major trend not shown in the table was that while the Cambridge Preliminary Local
Examination became less and less important, the Junior and School Certificate Examinations
became relatively more important. With the abolition of the Preliminary Local Examination at
Overseas centres after December 1939, the Junior Local (later called Cambridge Junior School
Certificate) Examination became the lowest external examination taken by Nigerian grammar-
school pupils. Further, with the abolition of the Junior Cambridge Examinations, the School
Certificate Examination became the lowest external examination taken by Nigerian candidates,
and this was the
grammar-school curriculum was the directive it gave in 1930 that in every subject offered in
Nigerian Secondary Schools, Form 1 should attain a standard equivalent to that required for a
pass in the Cambridge University Preliminary Local Examination; that Form II should attain a
standard equivalent to that required for a pass in the Cambridge Junior School Certificate
Examination; Form IV that of the Cambridge School Certificate or London Matriculation
Examination; and Form VI that of the Cambridge Higher School Certificate E animation. The
result was that in spite of the observations and recommendations of the Phelps-Stokes
Commission and the Advisory Committee, the content of formal education in Nigeria was still
closely patterned along the British line as the British examining bodies continued to exert
considerable influence on the grammar-school curriculum.
While U. C. L. E. S. continued to make its local examinations available to school
candidates in Nigeria throughout this period (as did the Oxford Delegacy during the years 1929 —
1937) the University of London continued to make the London Matriculation Examination
available to private candidates, including student-teachers from Wesley College (Ibadan), St.
Andrew's College (Oyo) and Hope Waddell Training Institution (Calabar). In general, the primary
school and teacher training curricula were similar to those of the preceding period. In the case of
the grammar schools, the major trends in the development of the curriculum are shown in Table
2.
One major trend not shown in the table was that while the Cambridge Preliminary Local
Examination became less and less important, the Junior and School Certificate Examinations
became relatively more important. With the abolition of the Preliminary Local Examination at
Overseas centres after December 1939, the Junior Local (later called Cambridge Junior School
Certificate) Examination became the lowest external examination taken by Nigerian grammar-
school pupils. Further, with the abolition of the Junior Cambridge Examinations, the School
Certificate Examination became the lowest external examination taken by Nigerian candidates,
and this was the
TABLE 2: DEVELOPMENTS IN CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE/EXAMINATION
SUBJECTS, 1926-1950
SUBJECTS, 1926-1950
1930 1935
Group I Subjects
1. Religious Knowledge+
2. English+
3. History+
4. Geography+
Group II Subjects
5.Latin+
6. Greek
Group I Subjects
1. Religious Knowledge+
2. English+
3. History+
4. Geography+
Group II Subjects
5.Latin+
6. Greek
1926 1931 1936 1941 1946
—————
1940 1945 1950
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
*****
**** *
—————
1940 1945 1950
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
*****
**** *
7. French++
8.German
9. Spanish
10. Italian
11. Other Languages (e.g.
Dutch, Russian, Sanskrit)
Group III Subjects
12. Elementary Mathematics+
13. Additional Mathematics++
14. Chemistry+
15. Physics+
16. Botany++
17. Biology ++
18. General Science+
19. Natural History of Animals++
20.Physics-cumChemistry
21. Mechanics++
8.German
9. Spanish
10. Italian
11. Other Languages (e.g.
Dutch, Russian, Sanskrit)
Group III Subjects
12. Elementary Mathematics+
13. Additional Mathematics++
14. Chemistry+
15. Physics+
16. Botany++
17. Biology ++
18. General Science+
19. Natural History of Animals++
20.Physics-cumChemistry
21. Mechanics++
*****
*****
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * N N N
* * * * *
N N N * *
*****
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * N N N
* * * * *
N N N * *
Group IV Subjects
22.Art++
23. Music++ *
24. Book-keeping/Shorhand++ *
25. Handicraft++ *
26. Geometrical & Engineering
Drawing++ *
27. Housecraft or Needlework++ *
28. Hygiene+ *
29. Mensuration & Surveying *
30. Technical Drawing++ N
31. Hygiene & Physiology+ N
22.Art++
23. Music++ *
24. Book-keeping/Shorhand++ *
25. Handicraft++ *
26. Geometrical & Engineering
Drawing++ *
27. Housecraft or Needlework++ *
28. Hygiene+ *
29. Mensuration & Surveying *
30. Technical Drawing++ N
31. Hygiene & Physiology+ N
*****
* *
* *
* *
* N
* *
* N
N N
N *
N *
* *
* *
* N
* *
* N
N N
N *
N *
* *
* *
* *
N N
* *
N *
N N
* *
* *
* *
* *
N N
* *
N *
N N
* *
* *
Source: Regulations and Syllabuses
Examination, for the years 1926 — 1950.
* Subjects examined by U. C. L. E. S, during these years.
N Subjects not examined either not yet introduced or already
phased out.
+ Subjects usually taken by a majority of Nigerian candidates
These were the subjects taught in the grammar schools.
++ Subjects usually taken by a minority of the candidates. situation
down to the establishment of the West African Examinations Council
in 1952, the same year that the London Matriculation was replaced by the General
Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level).
The implication of all these for curriculum development in Nigeria was that the grammar
schools ultimately adopted the policy of preparing their pupils for the Cambridge School
Certificate Examination and in doing this they gradually adopted the policy of teaching in their
schools only those subjects that were being examined by U. C, L. E. S. from year to year. By
1952, therefore, most grammar schools in Nigeria included the following subjects in their
curriculum and taught them up to the School Certificate level: English Language, English
Literature, Religious Knowledge, History, Geography, Latin, Elementary Mathematics, Additional
Mathematics, General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Art and Technical Drawing.
V. FROM W. A. E.G. TO INDEPENDENCE 1952-1960
Examination, for the years 1926 — 1950.
* Subjects examined by U. C. L. E. S, during these years.
N Subjects not examined either not yet introduced or already
phased out.
+ Subjects usually taken by a majority of Nigerian candidates
These were the subjects taught in the grammar schools.
++ Subjects usually taken by a minority of the candidates. situation
down to the establishment of the West African Examinations Council
in 1952, the same year that the London Matriculation was replaced by the General
Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level).
The implication of all these for curriculum development in Nigeria was that the grammar
schools ultimately adopted the policy of preparing their pupils for the Cambridge School
Certificate Examination and in doing this they gradually adopted the policy of teaching in their
schools only those subjects that were being examined by U. C, L. E. S. from year to year. By
1952, therefore, most grammar schools in Nigeria included the following subjects in their
curriculum and taught them up to the School Certificate level: English Language, English
Literature, Religious Knowledge, History, Geography, Latin, Elementary Mathematics, Additional
Mathematics, General Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Art and Technical Drawing.
V. FROM W. A. E.G. TO INDEPENDENCE 1952-1960
for the Cambridge's School Certificate
The West African Examinations Council (W. A. E. C.) was established in March 1952,
following the recommendation of Dr. G. B. Jeffrey, Director of the Institute of Education,
University of London, who had earlier been asked by the British Secretary of State for the
Colonies to visit West Africa and advise on a proposal that a body of this kind should be
established in that area. The Lagos office of the Council was opened at Yaba in September 1953
(W. A. E. C., 1973).
The major role of the W, A. E. C. in curriculum development during its early years of
existence was that of inspecting schools for purposes of approving them and accepting their
pupils as private candidates for Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (later West African
School Certificate) Examination. This would normally encourage the grammar schools to teach
the various subjects normally examined by the W. A. E. C. The establishment of the W. A. E. C.
was therefore an event of considerable, perhaps over-riding, significance in curriculum
development in Nigeria.
Apart from the W. A. E. C., however, there were a number of other factors influencing the
development of the schools' curricula in Nigeria. The various regional ministries of education, for
example, played an important role. In 1959, for example, the former Eastern Region revised its
primary school curriculum for the First School Leaving Certificate Examination and also the
Secondary School Syllabuses in English, History and Geography. Moves were also made to
revise the teacher training curriculum (Dike, 1959). The reason for this change was basically
political. In preparation for political independence, which was promised for the following year
(1960), the former Eastern Region realised the need to throw away part of the British-type
academic curriculum and replace this with one that was more relevant to the needs of the people.
Efforts were also made in other regions of the country to bring about changes in the education
system.
In the former Western Region, for example, a scheme of Universal Primary Education
was launched in January 1955. New Primary School Syllabuses were introduced, featuring
character development and the acquisition of literacy and manual skills. Secondary Modem
Schools were introduced in 1957, followed by the introduction of detailed syllabuses for
Secondary Modern School subjects in 1958 (Osiyale, 1972).
At the national level, moves were made to review the whole education system and
introduce new courses and new curricula into the schools as the country prepared for political
independence. This was the mood of the nation when the Government set up the Ashby
Commission in 1959. The Report of the Commission submitted in September 1960, had a
profound influence on the development of the Nigerian School curricular in the years following
independence.
VI. INDEPENDENCE AND AFTER, 1960 TO DATE
Nigeria regained her independence on 1st October, 1960, a month after the submission
of the Ashby Report. With specific reference to curriculum development, the Ashby Commission
recommended the introduction of obligatory manual projects into secondary schools and the
provision of different types of secondary school curricula, including commercial, vocational and
agricultural courses. Further, the Commissioners recommended that both the pre-service and in-
service training of teachers should be intensified. They also recommended the introduction of
Advanced Teachers' Colleges, to be associated with Universities.
In the Universities, a new undergraduate course, B. Ed. (also variously styled B. A. (Ed.)
and B. Sc. (Ed.) should be introduced. The opening of Advanced Teachers’ Colleges at Ibadan,
Ondo, Pankshin, Abraka, Ilesha, Ikere-Ekiti, Ilorin, Oro and other areas in the country, and the
introduction of B.Ed. courses in the Faculties of Education of Nigeria Universities (Ibadan, Lagos,
Ife, Ilorin, ABU, Nsukka etc.) after independence are valid evidences that this aspect of the Ashby
following the recommendation of Dr. G. B. Jeffrey, Director of the Institute of Education,
University of London, who had earlier been asked by the British Secretary of State for the
Colonies to visit West Africa and advise on a proposal that a body of this kind should be
established in that area. The Lagos office of the Council was opened at Yaba in September 1953
(W. A. E. C., 1973).
The major role of the W, A. E. C. in curriculum development during its early years of
existence was that of inspecting schools for purposes of approving them and accepting their
pupils as private candidates for Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (later West African
School Certificate) Examination. This would normally encourage the grammar schools to teach
the various subjects normally examined by the W. A. E. C. The establishment of the W. A. E. C.
was therefore an event of considerable, perhaps over-riding, significance in curriculum
development in Nigeria.
Apart from the W. A. E. C., however, there were a number of other factors influencing the
development of the schools' curricula in Nigeria. The various regional ministries of education, for
example, played an important role. In 1959, for example, the former Eastern Region revised its
primary school curriculum for the First School Leaving Certificate Examination and also the
Secondary School Syllabuses in English, History and Geography. Moves were also made to
revise the teacher training curriculum (Dike, 1959). The reason for this change was basically
political. In preparation for political independence, which was promised for the following year
(1960), the former Eastern Region realised the need to throw away part of the British-type
academic curriculum and replace this with one that was more relevant to the needs of the people.
Efforts were also made in other regions of the country to bring about changes in the education
system.
In the former Western Region, for example, a scheme of Universal Primary Education
was launched in January 1955. New Primary School Syllabuses were introduced, featuring
character development and the acquisition of literacy and manual skills. Secondary Modem
Schools were introduced in 1957, followed by the introduction of detailed syllabuses for
Secondary Modern School subjects in 1958 (Osiyale, 1972).
At the national level, moves were made to review the whole education system and
introduce new courses and new curricula into the schools as the country prepared for political
independence. This was the mood of the nation when the Government set up the Ashby
Commission in 1959. The Report of the Commission submitted in September 1960, had a
profound influence on the development of the Nigerian School curricular in the years following
independence.
VI. INDEPENDENCE AND AFTER, 1960 TO DATE
Nigeria regained her independence on 1st October, 1960, a month after the submission
of the Ashby Report. With specific reference to curriculum development, the Ashby Commission
recommended the introduction of obligatory manual projects into secondary schools and the
provision of different types of secondary school curricula, including commercial, vocational and
agricultural courses. Further, the Commissioners recommended that both the pre-service and in-
service training of teachers should be intensified. They also recommended the introduction of
Advanced Teachers' Colleges, to be associated with Universities.
In the Universities, a new undergraduate course, B. Ed. (also variously styled B. A. (Ed.)
and B. Sc. (Ed.) should be introduced. The opening of Advanced Teachers’ Colleges at Ibadan,
Ondo, Pankshin, Abraka, Ilesha, Ikere-Ekiti, Ilorin, Oro and other areas in the country, and the
introduction of B.Ed. courses in the Faculties of Education of Nigeria Universities (Ibadan, Lagos,
Ife, Ilorin, ABU, Nsukka etc.) after independence are valid evidences that this aspect of the Ashby
recommendations had been fully implemented.
Apart from the Ashby Report, other documents do exist which tend to show the direction of
curriculum development in Nigeria since independence. In the former Western Region, for
example, both the Banjo Report (1961) and the Taiwo Report (1968) recommended the revision
of the school syllabuses and the introduction of a new structure of education. The Banjo Report
specifically recommended a new model for secondary education, comprising junior and senior
secondary schools. The curriculum of the former should be comprehensive. This was partly the
origin of the Aiyetoro Comprehensive School experiment started in 1963. The Taiwo Committee
recommended that the primary-school curriculum should be overhauled and new syllabuses
prepared in such subjects as Mathematics and Social Studies. Similar recommendations were
made in the East (Dike 1959, Ivan Ikoku, 1964).
Other bodies or factors that have influenced curriculum development in Nigeria since
independence are: the Nigerian Educational Research Council (N. E. R. C.) the National
Curriculum Conference (1969) and the National Policy on Education (1977; Revised in 1981).
Although the N. E. R. C. was not formally established, by decree, until 1972, the move to
establish the body had started since 1961 and it had in fact started to co-ordinate research
activities in Nigeria since the 1960s. It was under the auspices of this body that the National
Curriculum Conference was held in Lagos in 1969. The Conference called for a well-defined
philosophy of education for Nigeria and suggested the principles that should guide the formulation
of the objectives and curricula of primary, secondary, teacher and higher education in the country
(Adaralegbe, 1972).
The proceedings of the National Curriculum Conference provided the basis for the
National Policy on Education (1977). With specific reference to curriculum development in
Nigeria, the policy advocates a 6—3—3—4 system, and suggests that the junior secondary
schools should operate a comprehensive curriculum, in preparation for specialization at the upper
levels.
During the year immediately following independence, the W. A. E. C. undertook a gradual
revision of the School Certificate Syllabuses, especially in History, Mathematics, French, English
Language and Literature (now Literature in English), Physics, Chemistry and Biology (W. A. J. E.
VII/2 1964). It also increased the number of its examinable subjects. Secondary Schools in the
country accordingly revised their own curricula. This gradually led to a swing of candidates from
the traditional subjects to the new ones, and also to such science subjects as Physics, Chemistry
and Biology, presumably because there are now better qualified teachers of this subject and
better equipment for teaching them. Table 3 shows the direction of enrolment of Nigerian
candidates in 13 selected subjects, for 1961 and 1974.
TABLE 3: THE ENTRIES OF NIGERIAN CANDIDATES AT THE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION, 1961 AND 1974
Apart from the Ashby Report, other documents do exist which tend to show the direction of
curriculum development in Nigeria since independence. In the former Western Region, for
example, both the Banjo Report (1961) and the Taiwo Report (1968) recommended the revision
of the school syllabuses and the introduction of a new structure of education. The Banjo Report
specifically recommended a new model for secondary education, comprising junior and senior
secondary schools. The curriculum of the former should be comprehensive. This was partly the
origin of the Aiyetoro Comprehensive School experiment started in 1963. The Taiwo Committee
recommended that the primary-school curriculum should be overhauled and new syllabuses
prepared in such subjects as Mathematics and Social Studies. Similar recommendations were
made in the East (Dike 1959, Ivan Ikoku, 1964).
Other bodies or factors that have influenced curriculum development in Nigeria since
independence are: the Nigerian Educational Research Council (N. E. R. C.) the National
Curriculum Conference (1969) and the National Policy on Education (1977; Revised in 1981).
Although the N. E. R. C. was not formally established, by decree, until 1972, the move to
establish the body had started since 1961 and it had in fact started to co-ordinate research
activities in Nigeria since the 1960s. It was under the auspices of this body that the National
Curriculum Conference was held in Lagos in 1969. The Conference called for a well-defined
philosophy of education for Nigeria and suggested the principles that should guide the formulation
of the objectives and curricula of primary, secondary, teacher and higher education in the country
(Adaralegbe, 1972).
The proceedings of the National Curriculum Conference provided the basis for the
National Policy on Education (1977). With specific reference to curriculum development in
Nigeria, the policy advocates a 6—3—3—4 system, and suggests that the junior secondary
schools should operate a comprehensive curriculum, in preparation for specialization at the upper
levels.
During the year immediately following independence, the W. A. E. C. undertook a gradual
revision of the School Certificate Syllabuses, especially in History, Mathematics, French, English
Language and Literature (now Literature in English), Physics, Chemistry and Biology (W. A. J. E.
VII/2 1964). It also increased the number of its examinable subjects. Secondary Schools in the
country accordingly revised their own curricula. This gradually led to a swing of candidates from
the traditional subjects to the new ones, and also to such science subjects as Physics, Chemistry
and Biology, presumably because there are now better qualified teachers of this subject and
better equipment for teaching them. Table 3 shows the direction of enrolment of Nigerian
candidates in 13 selected subjects, for 1961 and 1974.
TABLE 3: THE ENTRIES OF NIGERIAN CANDIDATES AT THE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION, 1961 AND 1974
English Language
Literature in English
Bible Knowledge
History
Geography
Yoruba
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Literature in English
Bible Knowledge
History
Geography
Yoruba
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
1961
TNG = 5,537
Entries %TNC
5,537 100.0
4,629 83.6
4,557 82.3
4,321 78.0
3,283 59.3
1,549 28.0
4,762 86.0
1,715 31.0
2,356 42.6
TNG = 5,537
Entries %TNC
5,537 100.0
4,629 83.6
4,557 82.3
4,321 78.0
3,283 59.3
1,549 28.0
4,762 86.0
1,715 31.0
2,356 42.6
1974
TNC = 63,720
Entries % TNC
63,720 100.0
50,060 62.9
51.443 80.7
27,404 43.0
33,979 53.3
15,835 24.9
63,114 99.0
19,180 30.1
40,478 63.5
TNC = 63,720
Entries % TNC
63,720 100.0
50,060 62.9
51.443 80.7
27,404 43.0
33,979 53.3
15,835 24.9
63,114 99.0
19,180 30.1
40,478 63.5
Biology 3,801
Commerce 60
Principles of Accounts 59
Health Science 1,231
Source: W. A. E. C. Annual Reports, for the years ended
VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The missionaries controlled the Nigerian School
the latter date, the Government gradually involved itself in the provision of education and in
curriculum development. At first, government involvement took the form of meagre grants to the
missions and the promulgation of education ordinances and codes. Later, the government started
to open its own schools, to take over existing schools and to establish Examination and Research
Councils to regularise the school curricula, and to set up commissions to advise it on curricula
innovations and development. Largely due to the efforts of the W. A. E. C. and the demands of
the grammar schools, the number of examination subjects steadily increased over the years and
new subjects were added so that such traditional subjects as History and Geography gradually
attracted smaller proportions of candidates than the science subjects which are now apparently
handled by more qualified teachers, using better and more reliable equipment.
REFERENCES
Adeyinka, A. A. (1983). A Study of the Place of History in the Evolution of the Nigerian Secondary
Grammar-School Curriculum. Cardiff: Ph. D. Thesis (Wales).
Ajayi, J. F. Ade (1963). ‘The Development of Secondary Gram mar-School
Education in Nigeria', journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria 2 (4),
Dec. 523.
Eastern Nigeria (1959). The Dike Report on the Primary School Curricula.
Eastern Nigeria (1964). Report of the Conference on the Review of the Education System in
Eastern Nigeria (Alvan Ikoku Report). Enugu: Government Printer.
Good, Carter (1959). Dictionary of Education, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Lewis, L. J. (1962). Phelps-Stokes Report on Education in Africa. London: O. U. P.
Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Education (1960). Investment in Education: The Report of the
Commission on Post-School Certificate and Higher Education in Nigeria. (Ashby Report).
Lagos: Federal Ministry of Education.
Osiyale, A. 0. (1972). Progress, Problems and Issues of School Curricula in Nigeria, 1912 -
1972. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, Institute of Education, University of London.
Rugg, H. (1936). 'New Trends in Curriculum Planning', in Richmond, Kenneth (ed.), The School
Curriculum, London: Methwn & Co.
Western Nigeria (1961). Report of the Commission Appointed to Review the Education System in
Western Nigeria (Banjo Report). Ibadan Government Printer.
Solaru, T. T. (1964). Teacher Training in Nigeria. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
Western Nigeria (1968). Report of the Committee on the Review of the Primary Education
System in the Western State of Nigeria (Taiwo Report). Ibadan: Government Printer.
West African Examinations Council (1973). The First 21 Years: 1952 - 1973. Lagos: W. A. E. C.,
p. 15.
Commerce 60
Principles of Accounts 59
Health Science 1,231
Source: W. A. E. C. Annual Reports, for the years ended
VI. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The missionaries controlled the Nigerian School
the latter date, the Government gradually involved itself in the provision of education and in
curriculum development. At first, government involvement took the form of meagre grants to the
missions and the promulgation of education ordinances and codes. Later, the government started
to open its own schools, to take over existing schools and to establish Examination and Research
Councils to regularise the school curricula, and to set up commissions to advise it on curricula
innovations and development. Largely due to the efforts of the W. A. E. C. and the demands of
the grammar schools, the number of examination subjects steadily increased over the years and
new subjects were added so that such traditional subjects as History and Geography gradually
attracted smaller proportions of candidates than the science subjects which are now apparently
handled by more qualified teachers, using better and more reliable equipment.
REFERENCES
Adeyinka, A. A. (1983). A Study of the Place of History in the Evolution of the Nigerian Secondary
Grammar-School Curriculum. Cardiff: Ph. D. Thesis (Wales).
Ajayi, J. F. Ade (1963). ‘The Development of Secondary Gram mar-School
Education in Nigeria', journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria 2 (4),
Dec. 523.
Eastern Nigeria (1959). The Dike Report on the Primary School Curricula.
Eastern Nigeria (1964). Report of the Conference on the Review of the Education System in
Eastern Nigeria (Alvan Ikoku Report). Enugu: Government Printer.
Good, Carter (1959). Dictionary of Education, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Lewis, L. J. (1962). Phelps-Stokes Report on Education in Africa. London: O. U. P.
Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Education (1960). Investment in Education: The Report of the
Commission on Post-School Certificate and Higher Education in Nigeria. (Ashby Report).
Lagos: Federal Ministry of Education.
Osiyale, A. 0. (1972). Progress, Problems and Issues of School Curricula in Nigeria, 1912 -
1972. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, Institute of Education, University of London.
Rugg, H. (1936). 'New Trends in Curriculum Planning', in Richmond, Kenneth (ed.), The School
Curriculum, London: Methwn & Co.
Western Nigeria (1961). Report of the Commission Appointed to Review the Education System in
Western Nigeria (Banjo Report). Ibadan Government Printer.
Solaru, T. T. (1964). Teacher Training in Nigeria. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
Western Nigeria (1968). Report of the Committee on the Review of the Primary Education
System in the Western State of Nigeria (Taiwo Report). Ibadan: Government Printer.
West African Examinations Council (1973). The First 21 Years: 1952 - 1973. Lagos: W. A. E. C.,
p. 15.
68.6 56,951 89.4
1.1 3,648 5.7
1.1 3,428 5.4
22.2 5,779 9.1
1.1 3,648 5.7
1.1 3,428 5.4
22.2 5,779 9.1
31st March 1962 and 31st March 1975.
Curricula between 1842 and 1882. From
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