Teaching of History to Be Restored in Primary, JSS, Says FG

The federal government yesterday disclosed that the processes aimed at restoring the teaching of history as a subject in Primary and Junior Secondary Schools would commence soon. President Goodluck Jonathan dropped the hint when the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The association had requested the restoration of the teaching of history in schools from the president. In his opening remarks, the president of the society, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, recalled that the directive had already been given by former President Olusegun Obasanjo towards the end of his administration, but till date "implementation is yet to commence due to administrative bottlenecks on the side of the government."

They equally appealed Jonathan to help in revitalising and restocking the archives which is the historian's laboratory. "Past government files are littering various offices instead of been properly kept in the archives," HSN president said. The society also requested for the establishment of an institute for historical studies and documentation in Abuja as well as the appointment of a Presidential Historian.

They appreciated the president for his efforts at ending the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and his efforts at curbing the security challenges in the country amongst his other achievements. The society, which has been in existence since 1955, conferred Jonathan with the title of grand patron and dressed him with a professorial attire and gave him a plaque.

Responding, Jonathan thanked them for their commitment towards working with government. The president promised to meet with the education minister and other stakeholders to discuss and kickstart the process of restoring history as a teaching subject in school. He noted that his administration had decided to build a centenary city which will have a presidential archive with different floors, each floor for a past president.

The archive, Jonathan said, will help children get the best eye view of history. He subsequently approved a plot of land for the society, but said they will have to source money for the building. He urged his Chief of Staff to ensure that they are inculcated in the forth coming national conference as they complained that they had been omitted.