Bayelsa State Government has announced its intention to incorporate the teaching and learning of Ijaw, French, and Chinese languages, along with science and mathematics, into the curriculum of public schools in the state. This initiative is aimed at equipping students to fully capitalize on career opportunities in these areas.
Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo revealed these plans during a courtesy visit from the state chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) at the Government House in Yenagoa. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, Ewhrudjakpo highlighted the growing global economic influence of China as a major state actor in world trade and commerce, justifying the inclusion of the Chinese language in the school curriculum.
Ewhrudjakpo also emphasized the state’s commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. The government’s deliberate focus on science, ICT, and mathematics in teacher recruitment reflects this commitment. The teaching of Chinese, French, and Ijaw languages is a priority, alongside mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, agricultural science, and computer science.
The Deputy Governor encouraged APWEN members to emphasize teamwork to achieve their objectives as a professional body and to include male students in their programs. He acknowledged the hard work required in the engineering field and urged the association to work closely together to gain more visibility in the male-dominated profession.
This educational policy shift underscores Bayelsa State’s proactive approach to preparing its youth for a rapidly evolving global landscape, where multilingual and scientific skills are increasingly valued.