NEW TECHNICAL TEXTBOOKS FOR POLYTECHNICS
For the first time, large scale writing of technical
textbooks for National Diploma Students at Nigerian Polytechnics
has resulted in the completion of 235 textbooks and practical
manuals for seven disciplines in: mechanical, civil, electrical,
computer technology, building construction, quantity surveying
and science laboratory technology. Since August 2008, a major
drive to fill the gap of shortage and lack of technical
textbooks for students at Polytechnics and Technical Colleges in
Nigeria was launched by the National Board for Technical
Education, NBTE in cooperation with UNESCO. As part of a
capacity building project for the Revitalisation of Technical
and vocational Education- Phase II, textbooks and teaching
material are being prepared for all 14 disciplines that have
updated and revised curricula completed in the first Phase of
the Project.
From August 2008, seven teams of 140 national experts and
lecturers, from Kaduna Polytechnic commenced the drafting of the
textbooks with the guidance of UNESCO specialist. The groups
followed set guidelines for the formats and production of the
textbooks and examples of similar materials produced with UNESCO
assistance, in other countries, were provided to all the teams.
The textbooks were written in digital format with a view for the
introduction of blended e-Learning in the future.
At a Final Teaching Material Development Workshop held at Kaduna
Polytechnic from 24 November to 5 December 2008 the drafts for
the textbooks were further developed by the national experts and
reviewed by 8 international consultants. The completed textbooks
will be made available to all Polytechnics for a trial run for
one year before further evaluation and revisions are carried
out. The textbooks are written in digital format with a view for
the introduction of e-Learning in the future. They will all be
loaded on NBTE Website for easy access by all students and
lecturers.
At the closing Ceremony held on Friday 5 December 2008 NBTE
Executive Secretary, Dr. Nuru Yakubu was presented with hard and
soft copies of the textbooks. He expressed his appreciation to
the Nigerian participants and UNESCO international consultants
for this tremendous achievement. All the participants were then
presented with Certificates of Participation in the workshop.
It should be noted that technical books are scarce in general
and very expensive to buy from abroad and in any case they do
not necessarily suit the Nigerian curricula. The professional
development of the lecturers and senior lecturers to produce
their own teaching material on such a large scale will enhance
the national capacity for improving the quality of technical and
vocational education and training. It will also provide students
and graduates of the Polytechnics and Technical colleges with
essential technical resources during their studies and after
graduation.
