The Anambra State Government has taken a bold step to equip students with practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset by introducing 15 new vocational subjects into the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum. The initiative aims to prepare learners for real-world challenges, enhance employability, and foster innovation from an early age.
The subjects, which include solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture, plumbing, digital literacy, robotics, bakery, hairstyling, make-up, interior design, CCTV/intercom installation, and event management, were unveiled at a launch event in Awka. The Chairperson of the Post-Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, said the curriculum shift reflects a move towards practical, value-driven education.
“The goal of the programme is to prepare learners not only to seek jobs but to create value, generate employment, and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the state,” Prof. Ikediugwu stated. “Education should go beyond theory and examinations to equip students with practical skills, creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial mindset.”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Cyril Nwuche of Nnamdi Azikiwe University emphasized the importance of modernized education. “Traditional academic instruction alone is no longer sufficient to prepare children for the future. Schools must embrace practical and skill-based learning to enable students to thrive in a dynamic global environment,” he said.
The move builds on Governor Charles Soludo’s ongoing education reforms, which began in 2022 with the transformation of 22 secondary schools into smart schools under the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) initiative. The state has also extended free education to Senior Secondary School Year 3 (SS3), recruited 3,115 additional teachers, upgraded 60 laboratories with essential STEM tools, and increased operational budgets to improve education quality.
By incorporating vocational subjects into the formal curriculum, the government hopes to retain students who might otherwise leave school for informal apprenticeship or artisan work. Courses like baking, make-up, and digital literacy provide pathways for early income generation and entrepreneurship, complementing efforts to reduce dropout rates and build a competitive workforce.
Governor Soludo noted that Anambra currently has one of the lowest out-of-school rates in Nigeria, estimated between 0.2% and 2.9%, highlighting the state’s commitment to accessible and relevant education. The inclusion of entrepreneurial subjects at the JSS level marks a significant step toward preparing students for future careers, ensuring they are equipped with both academic knowledge and practical skills to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.