The House of Representatives of Nigeria has called on the Federal Ministry of Communications to develop measures to limit social media usage for children below 16 years.
This move addressed growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on young children, who are increasingly exposed to unsupervised content, leading to misplaced priorities and a neglect of schoolwork.
The House also emphasized the need for adequate funding in the educational sector.
Urging the federal government to invest more in education, they highlighted the necessity for the Federal Ministry of Education to implement stringent policies aimed at improving education standards across all levels.
Furthermore, the House called for enhanced teacher development.
They advised the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission to collaborate with the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to monitor and regulate the Continued Professional Development (CPD) of teachers.
To ensure these measures are implemented, the Committees on Basic Education and Services and Communications were mandated to oversee the process.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ayodeji Alao Akala, titled “Need to Tackle the Dropping Standards of Education in Nigeria.”
The House noted a continuous decline in educational standards due to poor funding, inadequate facilities, insufficient teachers, corruption, insecurity, poor supervision, poor policy implementation, and lackadaisical attitudes towards schoolwork.
The House also addressed the prevalence of social vices within schools, including examination malpractices, cultism, hooliganism, and corruption.
Emphasizing the importance of education for societal development, moral regeneration, and youth development, the House called for practical steps to resolve the issues plaguing the educational sector and to foster youth development.
