Stakeholders have called for a review of the minimum entry requirements into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes.
The aim is to address the high level of forgery and falsification of results
They made the call at a two-day national summit held in Abuja at the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE
The summit was organised to critically assess how the NCE has contributed to the development of Education in the country.
The Minister of Education, Mr Adamu Adamu represented by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Education disclosed that the government was ready to support the revamping of the NCE programmes in Colleges of Education across the country.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Professor Paulinus Okwelle said serious efforts must be placed on teacher education with more focus on basic education level.
Prof. Okwelle expressed worries about recent developments in the Colleges of Education; he identified challenges of dwindling enrolment into the colleges, issues on employability of NCE graduates and appointment of unqualified principal officers.
According to him, “Currently there are 219 recognised NCE awarding institutions in Nigeria, 27 Federal, 50 States, 122 private, 9 polytechnics, and 11 affiliated institutions.
“The enrolment of candidates into colleges of Education has slid down on the platform of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.’’
The NCCE Executive Secretary further called for an urgent need to seek mediation on admission requirements into the Colleges of Education, COED.
“NCE holders should ideally spend 2years in the university”.
The Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Education &Services, Aminu Suleiman Goro said in his goodwill message that matters of certification of education are currently facing challenges.
He assured the summit that the National Assembly is ready to partner with the stakeholders in addressing the problems affecting teaching careers in Nigeria.
“Where legislation is required I can assure that the National Assembly will give it attention.”
Presenting a paper on the dwindling enrolment in NCE awarding institutions in Nigeria, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede said the government should look into creating more incentive, “Inform of robust salary and other welfare packages.’’
Prof. Oloyede revealed that obvious disparity in the reward system contributes to the dwindling enrolment in candidates of colleges of education.
According to him, “In 2020 when new incentives were announced for teachers application to study education programmes in Nigeria universities increased.”
Others who presented papers at the event include, Prof. Kabiu Isyaku, the President of Nigeria Academy of Education, Prof. Peter Okebukola, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, the Registrar, Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria and Prof. Muhammad Junaid the Former Executive Secretary of NCCE.
Others who attended the summit were the Former Minister of State for Education, Hajia Aisha Dukku, the Director-General of National Teachers Institute, the Executive Secretary of UBEC represented by Mr Aleshin Olumayowa Universal Basic Education Commission, Director Teachers support services.
PIAK
