Education
Statutory Constraints, Discrimination, Bane Of Polytechnics –Don
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
The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro
-
News15 hours ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics3 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News3 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News17 hours ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports3 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics3 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics3 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Politics3 days agoOtu Vows To Recall Indolent, Arrogant Cross River Legislators