CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Education is one of the basic institutions established by society to meet its essential needs. The survival of any society depends on its ability to have a ready stock of human resources at all levels with the skills and capabilities to maintain all aspects of the societal education concerned with the preparation of the young ones so that they can serve societal needs as adults. For over a decade now, the issue of quality and functional education in Nigeria has dominated discussions at homes, offices and public places. Nigeria as a nation is making strides towards industrialization, scientific, technological and entrepreneurship development. FRN (2013) recognizes education as an instrument “par excellence” for effective national development.
In 2005, the Nigerian Government highlighted the need for a new invigorated functional curriculum for all school levels; thus, the National Council of Education (NCE), the highest policy making body in Nigeria education sector, mandated the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) tore structure and enrich the instant primary, junior and senior secondary school curricula. NERDC (2008) captures the philosophy of the new senior secondary education curriculum (SSEC): Every senior secondary education graduate should have been well prepared for higher education as well as acquired relevant functional trade/entrepreneurship skills needed for poverty eradication, job creation and wealth generation; and in the process strengthened further the foundations for ethical, moral and civic values acquired at the basic education level. In explaining the philosophy, Orji (2011) noted that the new SSEC builds on gains of the Basic Education Curriculum and targets all-round development of every individual student. That is, it involves preparation for higher education; functional trade/entrepreneurship skills; and strengthening of ethical, moral and civic values. According to him, trade/entrepreneurship is major component of the new senior secondary education curriculum and is designed to address the dearth of technical skills amidst growing demand for the services of the skills in Nigeria
