INTRODUCTION OF HISTORY AS A STANDALONE SUBJECT IN THE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION LEVEL: MANAGEMENT DEMANDS

History is capable of creating in learners the love for their nation which could engender in them the spirit of patriotism, but the Nigeria nation relegated the teaching of history in her primary and secondary schools to the background for some years. Recently, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the re-introduction of History to be taught as a standalone subject in primary and secondary schools in the country. In order to make the new policy a success, there is need for some management demands to be satisfied. Some of the demands that administrators of the UBE schools must attend to include the following: There should be training and re-training of History teachers. The re-introduced History curriculum is expected to be planned to provide for inclusion of local themes needed in shaping the worldview of young learners as they learn from their surroundings to the unknown. It is also expected that the re-introduced History should support the building of bridges across the various tribes and not themes that separate the citizenry. New teaching approaches such as active participation of learners must be the focus to make the teaching of History less abstract. Emerging technology could be explored to make real historical events. The preparation and provision of simple textbooks in hard and soft copies is necessary to make the teaching of History better positioned for inculcating the intended behavioral changes. The article concludes with the hope that the teaching of History is capable of igniting in youth the zeal for patriotism and civil relationship.