The Provost of the Federal College of Education Technical Isu, Ebonyi State, Okey Reuben Okechukwu, commended the Federal Government for enacting the Dual Mode Act for Colleges of Education. Signed into law on June 12, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu, the act enables Colleges of Education to produce both NCE and B.Ed graduates.
During the college’s 2nd matriculation ceremony on Wednesday, Prof. Okey expressed optimism about the law’s implementation, highlighting its potential to address the decline in student enrolment and enhance the prospects for NCE graduates. He encouraged parents to support their wards in seeking admission to the college.
The provost outlined several challenges facing the education system, including the prevalence of non-professional teachers and political influence in teacher recruitment. He emphasized that the new law would empower Federal Colleges of Education to run both NCE and degree programs concurrently, with incentives such as student loans.
Prof. Okey urged stakeholders to publicize the benefits of this development and support the college’s mission to produce graduates equipped with practical skills and self-reliance. The 2023/2024 matriculation saw the admission of 85 students, following NCE and JAMB guidelines.
Stating “It’s no longer news that dwindling enrolment in colleges of the education system for acquisition of Nigeria certificate in education (NCE) including Federal Colleges of Education have reached an alarming rate and is on the increase.
” The reasons are many and obvious, including but not limited to: “Non-trained and professional university graduate teachers have taken over the job of teaching in our primary and secondary education subsector contrary to professional needs, thereby paralysing teacher education.
” Political influence and government policy have eroded basic principles of qualification and certification in the recruitment of teachers
“NCE graduates and the Colleges of Education system have hitherto been reduced to third class level in the education frame and ladder in Nigeria.
“Before now, teaching has become unattractive in our country due to poor conditions of service.
However, there is good news. Our President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed into law the Dual Mode Act for the Colleges of Education system.
“This act empowers the Federal Colleges of Education to run NCE and Degree Programmes simultaneously within a duration of five (5) or four years or as may be explained in the implementation document. Three (3) years of NCE and two (2) years of degree programme.
“The implementation document is indeed ready. There are also special incentives for staff and students including the students’ loan for all education students. In light of this positive development, I am elated to announce to all of you especially our teeming young Nigeria students and teenagers to apply for admission into Federal Colleges of Education for NCE and degree programmes at a stretch or in two segments ie you can continue to degree at a stretch or finish your NCE, take a break and come back for two (2) years of a degree programme.
” With this development, it’s a victory to acquire education through the Colleges of Education system. This is because, in the College of Education system, you will obtain both NCE and a degree with minimal cost and tuition-free, courtesy of Federal Government largesse.”
Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by Commissioner for Education Tertiary, Prof. Omari Omaka, advised students to focus on their studies to positively impact society.