By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Social Advancement Forum (SAF) has hailed the decision by the federal government to permit fifteen Federal Colleges of Education across the country to implement Bachelor’s Degree programmes. The degree programmes are to run concurrently with the NCE programmes.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Tahir Ibrahim Tahir, the group said the move was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to empower Federal Colleges of Education to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed) degrees.
“We see the dual certification model as a good move aimed at revitalising teacher education in the country as well as addressing dwindling enrollment.
“By allowing Colleges of Education to award NCE and the Bachelor’s Degrees in Education, the country has taken a major step towards improving teacher training and access to quality education.
“We also acknowledged efforts being put in place to review NCE’s minimum standards to maintain quality and to ensure that education requirements are met.
“We are hopeful for a proper supervision of the implementation process but we also urge students to take note of these developments and not allow the President’s efforts at empowering youths to go down the drain, “the statement added.
SAF also lauded similar education sector reforms, policies, and initiatives such as NELFUND, and the recently initiated TVET programme, which seeks to empower youths through training and learning that focuses on skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development.
