THE Federal Government has been urged to reconsider its decision to make first degree, the minimum teaching qualification for secondary schools in the country.
It has also been enjoined to have a rethink on the phasing out of teacher training colleges across the country. Proprietor of Tom Caleb Schools, Ilupeju, Lagos, Mr. Michael Maugbe, who spoke at the school’s 21st valedictory and prize giving day, said government’s insistence could be counter-productive, in view of the fact that most states in the country were educationally disadvantaged, and do not have the capacity to comply with the directive.
He further noted that the implementing the policy could be made more complex due to the fact that most university graduates in the country today only had single honors, without any training or background in education and pedagogy.
Commenting on the falling standard of education in the country, the proprietor said phasing out of teacher training colleges was part of the problem, as it impacted adversely on teaching and quality of education students received at the foundation level.
He stressed that the elementary level of education, where graduates from the defunct grade two teacher training colleges were supposed to teach, was so crucial to the future academic pursuits of the pupils.
Maugbe added that the curriculum at teacher training colleges were specially designed so that the products can effectively impart knowledge in their pupils.
The proprietor called for a review of the country’s university system to make room for skills acquisition, in addition to whatever degree programmes that students pursued.
This he said would help in addressing the crisis of unemployment. Principal of the school, Mr. Oyetayo Olasunkanmi, appealed to parents to take the security of their children and wards seriously, especially as they transit to and from school, as some students take advantage of these periods to indulge in social vices.
He maintained that parents who were concerned about the safety and security of their children ought to be curious and should demand explanation why a student who closed from school at 4 pm would get home by 6pm.
