On Thursday, June 6, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Ministry of Communications to establish regulations limiting social media use for children younger than 16 in Nigeria.
The House expressed concerns about the impact of unsupervised social media content on young children, noting that it contributes to misplaced priorities and neglect of schoolwork.
Additionally, the House urged the federal government to increase funding for the educational sector and asked the Federal Ministry of Education to enforce stringent standards across all educational levels.
The House also recommended collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Teachers’ Education Council of Nigeria (TRCN), and other relevant bodies to supervise accreditation and manage the Continued Professional Development (CPD) of teachers in Nigeria.
The Committees on Basic Education and Services and Communications were tasked with ensuring the implementation of these measures.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Tackle the Dropping Standards of Education in Nigeria,” sponsored by Hon. Ayodeji Alao Akala.
The House acknowledged the transformative impact of Western education in Nigeria, which has leveled the global playing field for educated Nigerians.
However, it expressed concern over the declining standards in the educational sector, attributing this decline to inadequate funding, poor facilities, insufficient teachers, and social issues such as examination malpractice and cultism.
Despite efforts to lower cut-off marks, many secondary school students continue to struggle academically, highlighting the crucial role of education in societal development and moral regeneration.
The House emphasized the government’s responsibility to address these challenges and promote youth development, stressing the need for comprehensive measures to improve the quality of education and protect children from the potential negative effects of social media.