REFORMING MUSIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN NIGERIA FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

This paper highlights the need for reforming music curriculum in the Nigerian system of education. It has been discovered that music is relegated to the background, merging it with two other subjects by the curriculum planners in the Nigerian education system. This is a serious setback on music education. This paper identifies these problems and also highlights the prospects in music practice and proffers a way of harnessing the potentials in them. Data collected show that the major problem music education suffers is hinged on lack of attention to it by the curriculum planners in the education curriculum. The paper suggests that the society, the curriculum planners and the government have much to do so that music education and practice is appreciated as it is already an established fact the music contributes and improves the Nigerian economy to a large extent. This will help a lot in sustaining the music practitioners and also in salvaging the Nigerian economy that is grossly recessed. It proposes as part of its recommendations that the government should endeavor to include music as one of the country‟s compulsory subjects in its curriculum, and that music education and practice should be provided with the vocational facilities and personnel in order to thrive as a vocational subjects. Parents and the larger society should also become educated on the usefulness of music as a career subject worth pursing by learners.