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El-rufai’s Education Policy And The NLC’s Resistance

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IT is no gainsaying stressing the fact that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has a strong determination at improving the quality of education in that state. In this regard, he deemed it imperative to conduct a competency test for the teachers in the public primary schools.

The objective of this test was to determine the levels of competence, efficiency and commitment towards realising the set-goals and objectives.The government, by this action, has not gone beyond its mandate as being canvassed by some observers.To the utmost surprise of the discerning minds, the outcome of the exercise was horrible.

Most of us in the education field are yet to recover from the shocks which we experienced at the scenario of this unfortunate development in which the teachers failed the tests meant for the pupils in primary four.

It is an irony of tragic and monumental proportion to observe that the teaching personnel who are supposed to teach the pupils the correct academic inputs are caught in the web of failing the same tests as administered.Most of their pupils have been discovered to be academically better off than their teachers comparatively.What a paradox?

The option left to the disappointed Governor is to ease them out of the system to prevent further damages to the education sector in the state. Also, the government is poised to replace them with qualified, competent and better tutors with the significant objective of taking the education to a better level.

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The furore generated by this development was anticipated, but, quite unfortunate. Ordinarily, one is fatally disappointed at the NLC’S selfish approach to the whole saga.The NLC and NUT leaders unwittingly resorted to cheap and open blackmail, propaganda, campaigns of calumny and villification, threats and intimidation to armtwist or hoodwink the government into rescinding its decision on this matter.

They carried out these actions without putting forth suggested solutions at improving the quality and standard of education in Kaduna state and by extension the whole Nigeria.The trade union leaders acted as if nothing went wrong with the education system. Should it not have behoved on them that the teachers woeful performance in the academic exercise is an indictment on the union?

It depicts the body as an organisation of dead woods whose professional competences and abilities are in serious doubt.To them, their dullard-colleagues have no faults.The trade union leaders are more interested in the check-off dues being deducted from the monthly salaries of their incompetent collegues and paid to the coffers of the unions on regular basis.

It is conjecturing asserting that the trade union leaders have their wards in the public schools.One can reasonably infer that the trade union leaders have acted in bad faith.

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It is indubitable that sending 21,000 able bodied personnel into joblessness can be counter productive in the sociological sense and context. But, relegating merit to the background to appease the gods of mediocrity is totally unacceptable. Reabsorbing the sacked teachers into the system is not a viable option.

In this circumstance, one can only appeal to Governor El-Rufai to commute their dismissal from service to retirement with benefits.This shall give them soft landing and set them from stigma.Hence, they won’t be parts of the social problems confronting us in Northern Nigeria. An idle hand is a devil’s workshop.

Better still, the government may revert to the re-grading system and offer the few better performers a second chance of re-writing another test. I am of the conviction that this diplomatic approach shall calm down the strained nerves.

At this juncture, it is meet and proper to observe that the incompetence of the teaching personnel is not limited to Kaduna state alone, the rot permeates the entire teaching- learning system in the Nigeria’s education landscape.By extension, there are dead wood in other professions, viz; engineering, law and medicines, just to mention a few.

Hence, the professional teachers across board in Nigeria should see the Kaduna episode as a challenge and brace up to improve themselves on their various areas of specialisation and general knowledge. Governments at all levels in Nigeria should be proactive in the training and retraining of the teaching personnel and other professionals to improve their lots in terms of ability, competence and efficiency.

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The leaderships of the various trade unions in Nigeria should synergise with the governments on ways of improving the professional competence of their members.

 

 

By Akeem Adebiyi, Ibadan.

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Education

Don Pushes for B.Tech to Empower Polytechnic Graduates

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Dr. Taofeek Abdul-hameed, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider replacing the Higher National Diploma (HND) with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) to address educational disparities and benefit indigent students nationwide.

Abdul-Hameed, speaking on behalf of a league of Rectors, during a live radio programme in Ibadan recently, emphasised the need to eliminate the dichotomy between Polytechnic and University education, asserting that both students and lecturers at Polytechnics are equally competent.

He argued that technical skills and entrepreneurship play a crucial role in a nation’s economic development, citing China and the United Arab Emirates as examples.

Highlighting the Polytechnics’ emphasis on practical skills and entrepreneurship, the don stressed the scarcity of white-collar jobs, advocating for equipping students with practical skills for self-employment after graduation.

“The way out is for the president to assent to the bill and cancel the HND to B.Tech programme, or else the disparity will continue. We hope that President Bola Tinubu signs the bill soon since the last administration failed to do so,” Abdul-Hameed remarked.

 

Commending the Federal Government for the approved Student Loan initiative, the Rector emphasised the importance of making education accessible to indigent students.

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He suggested low tuition fees and interest-free loans, asserting that skill acquisition should be an integral part of education to enable students to repay loans through acquired skills.

“As long as students receive loans from their institutions, they should be equipped with skill acquisitions so that they can pay back after 2 years or graduation. I want to believe that 2 years are sufficient for students, and if not, the government can consider renewing or extending the loan period,” Abdul-Hameed concluded.

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Education

KWASU Students Arrested for Allegedly Beating Peer to Death

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Four unidentified undergraduate students of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, are facing serious legal consequences after being apprehended for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of a fellow student.

The tragic incident transpired penultimate week within one of the private hostels located outside the university premises. The assailants reportedly targeted the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time, accusing him of surreptitiously filming them.

According to an account from a student who spoke with Channels Television, the victim succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted during the assault. The motives behind the alleged filming and subsequent attack are yet to be fully understood.

Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the distressing event on Friday, stating, “The alleged culprits were four but I cannot confirm their names now. They have been arrested while an investigation is still ongoing over the matter.”

 

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Education

Oyo: Oseni pays WAEC fees of indigent students, begins free JAMB registration

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 300 indigent students in the federal constituency.

Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced the collection of data from eligible constituents in fulfillment of its 2024 free JAMB registration programme.

It will be recalled that the lawmaker at the stakeholders meeting and mega empowerment held last year December said under his education support scheme he will be providing free WAEC and JAMB registration for underprivileged students in the constituency

According to him, “Supporting education is crucial for securing the future of our constituency. Initiatives such as scholarships, tuition fee support, and free WAEC and JAMB registration will be introduced to ease the financial burden on students. Ensuring access to quality education is essential for nurturing the next generation of leaders.

“ Therefore, I am proud to announce that, starting in 2024, under the Remi Oseni Education Support Scheme, I will provide free WAEC and JAMB registration for students in the constituency. Additionally, the Remi Oseni Scholarship Award will be offered to less privileged children, ensuring robust support for all students at every level, including scholarships and tuition fee payment”.

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The APC chieftain, in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, on Sunday, in Ibadan, noted that he is committed to investing in the future of the younger generation through education and other programmes that will boost their morale in pursuing a worthy future.

It further explained that eligible constituents of Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency are expected to visit the Remi Oseni Constituency Office Ologuneru, Ibadan with their WAEC/NECO certificates, local government identification certificate (Ibarapa East/Ido local government) to get the free JAMB registration forms to register their data/details.

“It is important to emphasise that recipients of the free JAMB registration must provide clear evidence of residing and having received education in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency. The registration commenced on Friday, February 2, 2024, and will conclude on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Eligible students are required to visit the constituency office between 9 am and 6 pm,” the statement reiterated.

Oseni, however, reassured the constituents of more dividends of democracy and quality representation.

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