FG stops polytechnics from running post-HND prograames

Polytechnics across the country have been barred from running of Post-Higher National Diploma programmes or Post Graduate Diploma.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who gave the directive during the inauguration of the Governing Councils of 15 Federal Polytechnics, 19 Federal Colleges of Education and Boards of National Teachers’ Institute and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council in Abuja, said that such programmes are outside the mandate of the institutions.
Also, the minister directed that henceforth provosts and registrars of Colleges of Education should sign NCE Certificates obtained in uolytechnics and universities; while issuance of certificates to graduating students is a prerequisite for approval for holding convocation.
Reiterating the commitment of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to the reform of the education sector, the minister said that the government counts on the support and cooperation of all the Governing Council members in the drive to achieve the desired goal.
In her words: “Governing Councils have a strategic role to play in facilitating the required transformation of the Tertiary Education Sector in order to actualize the desired of Government to provide easy access without compromising standards and quality.’’
She said the composition of the Governing Councils is apt and places high demands on them to work assiduously to realise the set goals.
The minister urged the Boards and Councils members to bring their wealth of experiences and expertise to bear in the discharge of their duties, stressing: ‘’Councils and Boards need to keep abreast with current laws, best practices, government policies, white papers, circulars, gazettes and other relevant documents that will help in decision making.’’
She, however, warned: “Your functions do not involve the day-to-day running of the institutions and agencies. You are rather expected to be concerned with policy issues, adopting best practices and monitoring of institutional projects and attracting funds outside government allocation for the development and improvement of physical and infrastructural facilities that will promote effective teaching and learning.’’
Furthermore, the minister said that the Governing Councils should not be lured into turning the prestigious fellowship awards to chieftaincy title affairs.
“The image and integrity of the institutions should be foremost in deciding on who should be conferred with these awards. Also, Convocation Ceremony should not be looked as a form of social gathering or carnival but purely an academic event.’’
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, said that the appointment of the Boards and Councils members was in recognition of their wealth of experience and contributions to national development.
Nwaobiala called on them to use their appointment to add value to the transformation of the educational system.
In the Goodwill messages given, including that of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education and Chairman: House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, the effort to reform the Education Sector was commended.
They also expressed satisfaction on the calibre of people appointed into the Boards and Governing Councils and expressed the hope that they will bring their wealth of experiences to bear on their functions for the betterment of the educational system.
The Board of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna has as its Chairman, Barrister Ali Sa’ad B/Kudu, while that of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council is Dr. Stephen Dike.