"Scholars' Appeal: Kebbi Govt Orders Return of History to School Curriculum"

"Scholars' Appeal: Kebbi Govt Orders Return of History to School Curriculum"

By Umar Faruk, Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government has ordered the return of history lessons to primary and secondary schools throughout the state with immediate effect. The directive was given by Governor Nasir Idris following a courtesy visit by the Kebbi State Scholars Association at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.

The scholars, comprising professors, PhDs, and senior lecturers from various disciplines, had requested the government to revert to the teaching of history in schools to impart the good historical antecedents of the nation's forefathers to the younger generation. Dr. Mansur Abubakar Warrah, a senior lecturer of history, culture, and religious movement at Federal University Dutsinma, made the request. "Learning of history has the tendency to reduce the incidence of insecurity in the society because our children will be free of corrupt foreign cultural incursions," Dr. Warrah said. "Infiltration of bad foreign culture with negative consequences on the psyche of youths has exacerbated the rising crime wave and slanted ideology in the country."

The governor acceded to the advice, ordering the education authorities to restart history lessons in schools. "I am a professional teacher with requisite understanding about the value and importance of education," Governor Idris said. "From assumption of power to date, my administration has rehabilitated more than 2000 schools, constructed 346 new ones as well as recruited 2000 qualified new teachers to make-up for the shortage of school teachers."

The governor also highlighted his administration's efforts to improve the education sector, including the enactment of a law that increased the retirement age of teachers by five years. "I have facilitated the enactment of a law that increased the retirement age of teachers by five years, from 60 to 65 years of age, and from 35 to 40 years in service, aimed at attaining quality education," he said.

The Chairman of the Kebbi State Scholars Association, Professor Dahiru Muhammad Argungu, described the association as the first of its services. "We have over 1000 membership, registered and those awaiting registration, comprising Professors, PhDs, and Senior Lecturers," he said. "Our objective is collaboration and partnership between the Academia and the Government, for positive and transformative results to face the challenges of development, education, governance, administration, ICT, and innovation."

The visit was attended by over 30 professors, PhDs, and senior lecturers of Kebbi State origin from various universities and disciplines.