The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, has revealed his administration’s intention to review and adapt to the National Policy on Teacher Education.
This is in order to enhance teachers’ welfare and improve service delivery.
This disclosure came in immediately the FCT College of Education in Zuba, informed the public of its commencement of degree programmes in some of its departments.
Provost of the College, Dr Muhammad Hamza, announced the commencement during the second combined convocation ceremony of the institution in Abuja.
“Academic visitations were undertaken and Memorandum of Understanding on academic collaborations was signed with the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to commence Bachelor’s degree programmes in some departments from 2019/2020 academic session. We have received approval from the National Universities Commission,” he said.
The Provost, however, lamented that the “technical aspect” of the college was yet to fully become operational.
“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. We beed funds towards the introduction the technical component such as Automobile Technology, Building, Electrical Electronics, and Metal/Wood Work,” he noted.
On his part, the minister called on the management of the college to move some key schools and administrative offices to its permanent site. He however, as a matter of priority, promised greater support for the institution as it prepares for its fifth round of accreditation.
Bello who was represented by the Minister of State in the FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, assured that the FCT administration would assist in making the relocation to the permanent site seamless. He added that a lot of resources had been expended on the site through the intervention of TETFUND.
Bello applauded the college for the commencement of the undergraduate program for the award of degrees in education.
Hence, he urged the management to explore other partnerships and commitments that would be beneficial to the college, in order to complement the efforts of government.
Earlier, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, expressed concern over the backlog of graduating students of the institution who had completed their NCE programmes, from 2010 to date.
He, however, called on the management to work hard to ensure that convocation and other such important activities of the college were not delayed.
The convocation ceremony had 12, 969 graduating students who had graduated from the school in the past 10 years in attendance.
