Colleges 0f Education to Award Degrees
As further efforts at making good its promises, the Federal Government is getting set to ensure that Bachelor degrees become the least qualification for teaching in Nigeria.
This again came to the fore during the meeting of the chairmen of governing councils of colleges of Education in Nigeria. The meeting, held in Abuja, and chaired by Sen. Emmanuel Anosike, deliberated on the brilliant efforts made so far by the Federal Government at restoring qualitative and sound education to the nation’s colleges of education.
Amongst the focus of the meeting of the colleges, in particular, was the strategic need to enable them begin the award of degrees which, according to them, would accelerate the realization of making first degrees the minimum academic qualification for teaching in Nigeria.
Sen. Anosike, in Abuja, said: “Some colleges have more Ph.D holders than most universities. A case in reference is Alvan Ikoku College of Education, which has about 160 Ph.D holders, when some universities have only about 50. The school (Alvan Ikoku) has about 16,000 students, while the Adeyemi College of Education, Oyo, also has 16,000 students,” he emphasized.
All these attributes, he said, shall make the award of degrees easier and worthy, as they are long overdue. He disclosed that the Federal Government has embarked on several activities to uplift the working and learning conditions on the college campuses.
His words: “The needs assessment reports of CoE’s are being implemented, which has necessitated that adequate infrastructural amenities are provided for the institutions, also lectures won’t hold at sport centers anymore or at chapels, as in the past.”
The chairman, while praising the forthrightness of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration whom, he said, had kept faith with his promises to Nigerians, says “what our people are looking for by going to other countries is good education, and that‘s happening here now. Other nations are even commending our strides in developing this Sector,” he added.
According to him: “All colleges of education across the country are being rehabilitated, preparatory for the degree awarding status.”
In a related development, the Federal Education (Special) is set to hold its convocation.
Special Oyo, as fondly referred to, is reputed to be the only college of education in West Africa specially designated to cater for impaired students. According to the release approved by the Provost, Dr. Femi Adeniyi, the ceremony is a weeklong activities, beginning from March 19, 2015, on the school campus.