Date: 2016-08-07

A university don, Ganiu Mutiu, of the University of Al-Hikmah, Ilorin, Kwara, has urged the Federal Government to review the curricula of the various educational institutions to focus more on practical studies. Mutiu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that more practical learning at various higher institutions in the country would help to promote a functional educational system.

"The problems with our educational system are numerous and one of them is that we must focus more on practical experience rather than the theoretical training for students. "Government must restructure curriculums and make educational system more functional; practical learning can address skills deficiencies among graduated students," he said.

Mutiu, who is currently a doctorate student at the University of Utara, Malaysia, said practical studies would strengthen entrepreneurship programme introduced by the federal government in the tertiary institutions and also boost graduate employability. According to him, Malaysian educational system is thriving due to robust practical training for all students irrespective of their courses.

The lecturer said the practical-based educational system of the Asian countries had made their continent to develop technologically and economically. "Nigeria will gain a lot if it can adopt the Malaysian educational system." Mutiu also decried what he called the poor reading culture and writing skills among Nigerian students, noting that Nigerian students now spend more time on the internet and social media than reading books.

"Their exposure to internet and social media has affected their learning, reading culture and writing skills. "Students are writing terribly nowadays; they write in short hands and meaningless abbreviations on social media among others."

The teacher advised students to shun excessive exposures to social media and focus more on their academics. He also urged parents and guardians to always encourage their children and wards to read novels to improve their communication skills.NAN