REPOSITIONING MUSIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Music education is recognized as one of the major tools required for enlightenment, empowerment and societal transformation. It plays a vital role in the intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, and moral development of learners. Over the years, through research studies, it has proven to be a discipline that is naturally both theoretical and practical in application and practices leading to knowledge and skills acquisition.  Thus, music education is regarded as a professional as well as a vocational course that requires effective implementation in Nigerian schools especially at both Junior and senior secondary levels. However, research has shown over the years that music education has suffered neglect due to inadequate funding, shortage of qualified teachers, poor instructional materials, limited infrastructure, and the marginalization of music within the cultural and creative arts (CCA) curriculum. But recent development has shown that a well implemented curriculum in music education will not only impart knowledge and skills in younger ones but will also empower them for survival in the present economic situation with or without government employment. In this regard, the paper highlights the challenges of music education especially at senior secondary level and advocates for its repositioning and proper implementation right from the elementary level through the Junior and senior secondary. The paper concludes that revitalizing music education requires collaborative efforts from government, curriculum planners, school administrators, music educators, parents and the private sector.