A retired Headmaster in Kwara State Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman-Agaka has advocated the resuscitation of the grade two teachers’ certificate scheme in the country to salvage the nation’s education system from collapse.
Suleiman-Agaka, who retired after 35 years, made the suggestion while speaking with newsmen in llorin last Tuesday.
According to him, the abolition of the scheme has several negative impacts on the foundation level of the nation’s education system.
He described teaching as a special profession which other professionals relied on for the success of the country’s education sector, adding that as such, it needed to be handled by specialised personnel.
“It has become imperative to resuscitate the abolished scheme for the country to regain the lost glory in its education system,’’ the retired headmaster said.
Suleiman-Agaka noted that several holders of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) teaching in primary schools across the nation lacked the basic rudiments of teaching.
The development he said was damaging to the nation’s education system, especially at foundation level.
The retired headmaster urged the three tiers of government in the country not to take the issue of education development with levity, stressing that it was one basic index for the economic growth and development of Nigeria.
The North-Central Coordinator of the National Teachers Institute (NTl), Hajia Titillayo Belgore, who also spoke with newsmen noted that some states which retained the scheme had been reaping the benefits.
She said the gains were noted, especially at primary school level which she said was the foundation of education.