Connect with us

Education

Statutory Constraints, Discrimination, Bane Of Polytechnics –Don

Published

on

Exective Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, Universal Basic Education (ubec), Mr Salih Yakubu (left), presenting a gold medal award to Executive Secretary of ubec, Dr Dikko Sueiman, during presentation of national certificate of credence and gold medal awards, in Abuja. With him is the Director, Quality Assurance, ubec, Dr Chukwuma Agomoh.

Exective Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, Universal Basic Education (ubec), Mr Salih Yakubu (left), presenting a gold medal award to Executive Secretary of ubec, Dr Dikko Sueiman, during presentation of national certificate of credence and gold medal awards, in Abuja. With him is the Director, Quality Assurance, ubec, Dr Chukwuma Agomoh.

A Polytechnic Don, Dr
Obasi, O.Oko, has among others identified constraints emenating  from the statute setting up polytechnics and discrimination as key challenges facing polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Dr Obasi, who stated this at a conference on polytechnic education organised by the Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) Chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), last Thursday, hinted that “the key challenge of polytechnics in Nigeria is the result of the statute establishing polytechnic education.
The statute which established the system has been static, while the system itself has been dynamic.
“The statute  established polytechnics as a two-tier institutional Cul de Sac, or close system, with no opportunity beyond Higher National Diploma (HND) in the system, a situation that compels practically-oriented graduate of practical system, who desires further studies to cross over to a theoretical system (university),” he said.
In this same vein, he said, low-level academic staff (technologists), who desires higher education have no opportunity of doing so in the system.
He also stated that discrimination of Polytechnic education as being inferior to university education is another major challenge of polytechnics.
“Since the colonial era, there has been a lingering conception of technical education as inferior to the theoretical one, and it is meant for dullards and school dropouts.
“This low or negative image of technical education in the minds of people rubs off on the polytechnic system, thereby discouraging potential candidates, who, consequently, opt for university education,” he said.
In order to tackle these and other challenges, Dr Obasi, in his lead paper titled “Polytechnic Education System for Science and Technology in an Emerging Economy, Nigeria in perspective,” proffered solutions.
The solutions include a review of the Decree  or Acts establishing the Polytechnics with a view to eliminating the structural and other constraints inherent in the statute, and providing untrammeled career path for graduates of the system.
He also called for the recognition of polytechnic education as not necessarily been inferior to university education, as it offers a definite career direction which, unlike university  education, places emphasis on practice rather than theory.
Obasi further called for the establishment of a separate regulatory body for polytechnics and adequate funding,” accompanied by scrupulous monitoring to ensure judicious use of allocated funds.”
In his address, Chairman of ASUP in RIVCAS, Comrade Victor Osai, extolled the potentials of polytechnic education, saying that “if optimised, it will bring about sustainable development.
“Moreso, as the education subsector is meant to produce job creators and not job seekers,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Provost of RIVCAS, Dr Samuel Kalagbor urged lecturers and participants of the conference to strive towards excellence in their field of endeavours.
“Management will do its best to provide sustainable grants and allowance for research and technological activities, subject to availability of resources”, he said.
The occasion was the 3rd National Conference of Polytechnics, which was held from August 12-14, 2015.

 

Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo

Continue Reading

Education

Otu Inaugurates UNICROSS, UEE’s Governing Councils

Published

on

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Councils of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa.
At the ceremony on Thursday in Calabar, the Governor urged the members to drive institutional excellence, ensure accountability, and align with global best practices.
Governor Otu acknowledged that UNICROSS had long suffered from what many perceived as gross neglect, particularly in terms of physical development.
“After a deep thought and consultation, and having considered all available facts and evidence, I am today opening a new chapter in the relationship between government and its institutions of higher education,” the Governor declared.
He emphasised that while his administration is committed to a renewed focus on higher education, this attention must be matched with transparency and responsibility by the universities’ management.
The same expectation, he said, applies to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa.
Governor Otu stated that the appointments into both councils and management were carefully considered and reflect the state’s finest minds and seasoned professionals.
“I have taken pains in appointing some of the best that the State has in both the Governing Councils and Management of the institutions. I implore you to apply your wealth of experience in making the institutions world-class,” he charged.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the distinct roles of Councils and management, pointing out that most university problems emanate from role conflict or interference. He tasked each of the councils to stick strictly to its clearly defined functions.
The Governor encouraged council members to leverage their networks to attract new sources of funding and value to their institutions.
“Do not limit yourselves to already known threads of resource sources.”, he said.

Continue Reading

Education

Kaduna Cuts Tertiary Tuition Fees By 50%

Published

on

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees for all Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, describing it as a major step toward removing barriers to higher education.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University Chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union, the Governor said the policy has made it easier for students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university education in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the students for presenting him with the Sword of Honour Award and for recognising the achievements of his administration, which were highlighted during the event’s public lecture.
He promised, “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course.’’
The Governor advised students not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilize their communities and steer them away from their career goals.
Governor Sani reminded the students and lecturers at the event that ‘’no meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust.’’
However, he said that ‘’going by your conduct over the period that I have been at the helm of affairs of our state so far, you are reliable partners of progress and I can count on you every step of the way.’’
The governor recalled that Kaduna State was under siege owing to the insecurity in some of the local government areas, which had dire consequences on agricultural and business activities.
He noted that the security challenges have now been drastically reduced owing to the combined commitment of security agencies, resulting in safer high ways, people returning to farms and the opening of local markets.
120 Oldest Secondary Schools in Nigeria
The governor further said that the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years, has been reopened, so have the other markets in security challenged areas in Giwa local government.

Continue Reading

Education

Rivers Poly Matriculates 1, 882 Fresh Students 

Published

on

The management of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic,Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has admitted 1,882 fresh students to study various courses and programmes for the 2024)2024 academic session.
This announcement was made by the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Moses Neebee during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the institution held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Dr Neebee described convocation as an annual rituals of every institution used to mark the end of admission process, adding that the polytechnic has recorded  some academic milestones and achievements.
According to him, the institution recorded 100 percent in the just   concluded NABTE accreditation and resources visitation exercise, adding that all the 24 courses presented   by the institution during the accreditation were approved including the almighty Diploma in Law.
According to the admission statistics provided by the Rector,1,510 students were admitted for the  National Diploma programmes ,while 372 students were offered admission into the Higher National Diploma and part programmes of the polytechnic.
The Rector while congratulating the  matriculants urged them to take their studies seriously and ensure that they pass through the institution and as well allow the institution pass through them  and not only in  learning but also in character.
“ Let me congratulate you all for your successes to scale through the rigorous hurdles of our admission processes. Take advantage of the various technical and entrepreneur skills in the school to equip your self which will make yourselves employed and be better equipped in the society”, he said.
The  Rector warned them to desist from any activities that will jeopardise their academic success, stressing that the school has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and sexual abuse.
He used the opportunity to thank the state government for the support given to the school especially in the areas of infrastructure development.

Continue Reading

Trending