The Executive Committee of Chairmen of governing councils of Federal Colleges of Education (FCE) in Nigeria, has called for more recognition and improved funding for the colleges to enhance teacher education across the country.
The committee led by its Chairman, Prof. Francis Faduyile, made the request when they paid separate courtesy visits to the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Executive Secretary of TETFund and the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Federal Colleges of Education in Abuja.
During the courtesy visit to the minister, the committee chairman said the visit was to inform the minister about some of the challenges bedeviling the smooth running of Federal Colleges of Education across the country, as well as to press home some demands that will aid effective implementation of teacher education programmes and policies.
He observed that for effective training of the next generation of teachers in primary and secondary schools across the country, a lot needs to be done in the aspects of welfare of personnel, structures, equipment among others.
Some of the committee’s demands according to Faduyile include, resumption of stalled renegotiation of COEASU-FGN 2010 agreement, review of the policy on outsource services in College of Education, implementing FEC directives of removing tertiary institutions from IPPIS, take-off grant for the newly established FCEs, Needs Assessment and Revitalisation Fund, as well as Governing Councils’ funding, among others.
Faduyile reiterated the committee’s support in achieving the aims and objectives of the Federal Colleges of Education while assuring the minister of their determination in partnering with the ministry towards ensuring the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his response, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government in resuscitating teacher education in all ramifications.
He disclosed that a stakeholders’ committee had been set up for the implementation of the Federal Executive Council directives of removing tertiary institutions from IPPIS.
