Education
NCCE Harps On UBE-Relevant Teachers
The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) is set to produce teachers relevant to the needs of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme, its Executive Secretary, Prof. Mohammed Junaid, has said.
Junaid explained last Thursday in Zaria, Kaduna State, at the ongoing four-day enlarged critique workshop organised by the commission that necessary machinery had been put in motion for the accomplishment of its mission.
He also said the commis-sion planned to address the basic teacher needs in the basic education sector through a restructured minimum standard for the National Certificate of Education (NCE).
“A restructured minimum standard for the NCE will address the basic teacher needs so that any teacher training college will be able to produce teachers that are relevant to UBE needs,” he said.
“We want to produce teachers who can deliver the basic education curriculum more effectively.
“The restructuring followed mounting criticisms over the quality of NCE holders. We need to look closely into the teacher education curriculum and see what can be done to improve the quality of teachers.’’
The executive secretary further said that the commission had intensified efforts toward drafting a curriculum that would cover five areas of the UBE programme.
He listed the areas as Primary Education, Early Childhood Care Education, Junior Secondary School Education, Adult and Non-formal Education as well as Special Needs Education.
Junaid said the essence of the workshop was to ensure that the new curriculum for basic education in the fourth edition of NCE minimum standards was put to use by all NCE awarding institutions.
The workshop, he added, would work toward developing the framework for a new college structure and restructuring quality assurance instruments for programmes and institution accreditation for new programmes.
In an interview with our correspondent, Dr Jerry Agada, the Governing Board Chairman of the NCCE, gave the assurance that the draft curriculum would be made in such a way that it would allow for continuity in the system.
He appealed to the participants to make effective use of the opportunity to impact positively on the development of education in Nigeria.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.