Education
FCT To Domesticate National Policy On Teacher Education
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has disclosed the efforts of his administration to review and domesticate the National Policy on Teacher Education in order to enhance teachers’ welfare and improved service delivery.
This came even as the FCT College of Education in Zuba said it has commenced degree programmes in some of its departments.
Provost of the College, Dr Muhammad Gambo Hamza, announced this at the weekend during the Second Combined Convocation of the institution in Abuja.
He said: “Academic visitations were undertaken and Memorandum of Understanding on academic collaborations were signed with the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to commence bachelor degree programmes in some departments from 2019/2020 Academic Session. We have received approval from the National University Commission”.
The Provost however lamented that the “technical aspect” of the College was set to come on full stream, saying; “In the light of the present trend and the need to prepare teachers who are adequately equipped with both knowledge and skills for self reliance, I wish to appeal to the visitor for adequate funding to enable the college expand its programmes by introducing the technical component such as automobile technology, building, electrical electronics, and metal/wood work”.
On his part, the minister called on the management of the college to move some key schools and administrative offices to its permanent site as a matter of priority, promising greater support for the institution as it prepares for its fifth round of accreditation.
Bello, who was represented by the Minister of State of the FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, assured that the FCT Administration will assist in making the relocation to the permanent site seamless, adding that a lot of resources have been expended on the site through the intervention of TETFUND.
“I therefore enjoin all staff to be dedicated to their work and to give the students the best that is required of them while shunning vices that are inimical to your professional ethics”.
Bello commended the college for the commencement and smooth take-off of the undergraduate programme for the award of degrees in education, while urging management to explore other partnerships and collaborations that would be beneficial to the college in order to complement the efforts of government.
Earlier, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, expressed concern over the backlog of graduands of the institution who had completed their NCE programmes, from 2010 to date, while calling on the management to work hard at ensuring that convocation and other such important activities of the college are not delayed.
The Convocation covered 12, 969 graduands who had graduated from the school for the past 10 years.
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.