Education
El-rufai’s Education Policy And The NLC’s Resistance
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seeks FG’s Intervention on Infrastructure, Expansion
The Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, has reaffirmed its commitment to academic and infrastructural excellence as it formally admitted its third set of students during a matriculation ceremony held on Thursday at the TETFund Auditorium, Iresa-Pupa Temporary Campus.
No fewer than 574 students were officially admitted into the institution for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The event was well attended by distinguished guests, including the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Professor Idris Bugaje, who was represented by Dr John Onyebuchi, Deputy Director, NBTE Southwest Zonal Office. The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) was also represented by Mallam Bala Adamu.
The traditional institution was represented by the Aresa-Pupa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye JP, Ajiboye III. Other notable attendees included the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Engr. (Dr) Sani Man Yahya, represented by the Deputy Rector (Academics), Alhaji I. A. Lawal; the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Engr. (Dr) Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, represented by the Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr Mulikatu Aliu; and the Provost of the Federal College of Education, Iwo, Prof. R. A. Adebayo, represented by the Registrar, Alhaji Yusuf Aderibigbe among others.
Speaking at the event, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, congratulated the newly admitted students and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering quality technical and vocational education.
“You have earned your place here through hard work and dedication. Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, is committed to equipping you with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to thrive in your chosen careers,” he stated.
Dr Abdul-Hameed highlighted the rapid growth of the Polytechnic since its establishment in March 2021, noting that it was the first among the six newly created federal polytechnics to commence academic and administrative activities in June 2022.
He disclosed that the institution now has over 1,200 students, making it the most populated among its counterparts. It currently offers 12 accredited National Diploma (ND) programmes, with plans to introduce 29 additional programmes.
“The Office Technology and Management (OTM) programme will soon commence as its resource verification process is at an advanced stage,” he added.
The Rector further announced that the Polytechnic’s Academic Board had approved the results of its first graduating set, paving the way for its maiden convocation this year.
“A convocation ceremony to confer diplomas and prizes will be held this year, and the official date will be announced in due course,” he stated.
Addressing recent reports of a building collapse at the Polytechnic, Abdul-Hameed dismissed the claims as misleading, clarifying that no structure had collapsed on any of the institution’s campuses.
“What was falsely reported was a minor structural defect involving a cantilever under construction. The contractor is already addressing the issue under strict supervision,” he explained, urging the public to disregard the misinformation aimed at tarnishing the Polytechnic’s reputation.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s support for education, the Rector urged the Federal Government to increase funding, particularly for infrastructure and research.
“We seek special intervention programmes to support our expansion efforts and the construction of access roads to improve connectivity,” he appealed.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund, and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) towards the Polytechnic’s growth. Continuing, he lauded Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for his support and sought further assistance from the state government.
The Don advised the newly admitted students to embrace discipline, diligence, and innovation, urging them to take full advantage of the institution’s resources.
“The Polytechnic has provided you with the resources and a conducive environment to succeed. It is now your responsibility to make the most of this opportunity,” the Rector said.
The Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, has announced that its 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony will take place on Thursday, 27th March 2025.
In a statement signed by the institution’s Protocols and Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday Adepoju, on behalf of the Rector, Engr. Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, the event is scheduled to hold at the polytechnic’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the statement, the academic procession will commence at 9:00 a.m., followed by the main ceremony at 10:00 a.m.
Established in 2021 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Federal Polytechnic Ayede admitted its pioneer students in the 2022/2023 academic session. Initially, the institution commenced with four departments: Science Laboratory Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Computer Science, and Statistics.
By the 2023/2024 academic session, the institution expanded its academic offerings with eight additional National Diploma (ND) programmes, increasing the total to 12. The newly introduced courses include Computer Engineering Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology, Agricultural Technology, Science Laboratory Technology, Computer Science, Statistics, Tourism Management Technology, Estate Management and Valuation, Urban and Regional Planning, Accountancy, Business Administration and Management, and Public Administration.
These 12 ND programmes are structured under five academic schools, School of Agricultural Technology,School of Science and Technology, School of Engineering Technology, School of Environmental Technology and School of Management Sciences.
The institution also announced that the orientation programme for fresh students commenced on Tuesday, 25th March, and will continue on Wednesday, 26th March, at the Iresa-Pupa temporary site. The programme will feature addresses from distinguished scholars and professionals, providing guidance to the new students on academic and campus life.
Since its inception, Federal Polytechnic Ayede has recorded remarkable strides in academic excellence, infrastructural development, training and re-training, as well as sports and extracurricular activities.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
-
News3 days agoAlleged KGB Infiltration: Police in Dilemma as Senator Natasha Abandons Petition, Snubs Summons
-
Politics1 week ago
Fresh N200bn Loan: Oyo APC Accuses Makinde of Pushing State Into Financial Ruin
-
News1 week ago
Rivers Sole Administrator Announces Release of Withheld Allocations
-
News1 week ago
Tinubu Swears in Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator
