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Author: Funmilayo Adeyemi

  • FG approves N25bn for labs, workshops upgrade in tertiary institutions

    Upgrade

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has approved the sum of N25 billion for the upgrade of laboratories and workshops in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (Technical).

    The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja, at the inauguration of a 55-member committee of TETFund National Research Fund and Screening (NRFS&MC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the inauguration of 48 committee members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of the Fund.

    Echono explained that the Board of Trustees of the Fund set up the NRF Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC), charged with the responsibility for implementing and administering the intervention.

    He said in 2020, the Committee carried out a review of the three thematic areas of the NRF research spectrum and incorporated emerging issues of national developmental challenges requiring innovative solutions.

    “We undertook an assessment of what the requirements are to meet the change.

    “And one of the things we discovered was that we have been addressing the issue around accessing and providing infrastructure to facilitate admissions of Nigerians who undertake programmes in our tertiary institutions.

    “Over time, due to our poor maintenance culture, we tend to neglect the issue of quality in terms of the equipment that we have in our laboratories, whether they are functional in terms of the workshop,” he said.

    Echono added that another N5 billion was also approved for skills related equipment in the polytechnics.

    He urged the Polytechnics to identify between three and five skills areas and use the opportunity to mop up Nigerians from the streets

    He said that through the teaching of basic skills,, people would be able to fend for themselves and as well contribute to the economy.

    Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman while inaugurating the committees, urged the academia to get involved in contributing to development of the nation through their cutting edge researches.

    Mamman said there had been a major shift by the present government to ensure tertiary institutions played its role in research, innovation and teaching.

    “Universities and scholars have so much to do to make sure their research contribute to their personal growth and growth of the nation.

    He reiterated the commitment if the administration to reskilling the education sector from primary to tertiary institutions in order to requip the youths with required skills (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

    FAK/OIF/ROT

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    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Rotimi Ijikanmi

     

     

    n tertiary institutions

    Upgrade

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has approved the sum of N25 billion for the upgrade of laboratories and workshops in public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education (Technical).

    The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja,  at the inauguration of a 55-member committee of TETFund National Research Fund and Screening (NRFS&MC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the inauguration of 48 committee members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of the Fund.

    Echono explained that the Board of Trustees of the Fund set up the NRF Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS&MC), charged with the responsibility for implementing and administering the intervention.

    He said in 2020, the Committee carried out a review of the three thematic areas of the NRF research spectrum and incorporated emerging issues of national developmental challenges requiring innovative solutions.

    “We undertook an assessment of what the requirements are to meet the change.

    “And one of the things we discovered was that we have been addressing the issue around accessing and providing infrastructure to facilitate admissions of Nigerians who undertake programmes in our tertiary institutions.

    “Over time, due to our poor maintenance culture, we tend to neglect the issue of quality in terms of the equipment that we have in our laboratories, whether they are functional in terms of the workshop,” he said.

    Echono added that another N5 billion was also approved for skills related equipment in the polytechnics.

    He urged the Polytechnics to identify between three and five skills areas and use the opportunity to mop up Nigerians from the streets

    He said that through the teaching of basic skills,, people would be able to fend for themselves and as well contribute to the economy.

    Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman while inaugurating the committees, urged the academia to get involved in contributing to development of the nation through their cutting edge researches.

    Mamman said there had been a major shift by the present government to ensure tertiary institutions played its role in research, innovation and teaching.

    “Universities and scholars have so much to do to make sure their research contribute to their personal growth and growth of the nation.

    He reiterated the commitment if the administration to reskilling the education sector from primary to tertiary institutions in order to requip the youths with required skills (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

    FAK/OIF/ROT

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    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Rotimi Ijikanmi

     

     

  • NBTE introduces mandatory skills qualification in polytechnics

    NBTE introduces mandatory skills qualification in polytechnics

    Qualification

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has introduced a  Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ) as a graduation requirement for all newly reviewed National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula.

    This is as the board says the introduction is in line with global trends, especially as skill acquisition is now central to the training of young Nigerians in polytechnics.

    This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, by Hajiya Fatimah Abubakar, the board’s Head of Media.

    Abubakar explained that diploma holders would now graduate with a National Skills Qualification (NSQ) or its equivalent, as an additional certification.

    According to her, this means the MSQ is now a requirement for all diploma programmes and must be attained before graduation.

    She also explained that the NSQ was a certification system designed to assess and recognise the skills and competencies of individuals in various fields.

    According to her, it focuses on vocational skills and is typically obtained through vocational training programmes, apprenticeships, and assessments conducted by approved skill assessment bodies.

    “NSQ aims to bridge the gap between formal education and industry needs by providing individuals with practical skills relevant to the job market.

    “The dual certification of obtaining both an NSQ and an ND in Nigeria offers several benefits, including a comprehensive skill set, increased employability, versatility, professional recognition, and career progression”, she said.

    The NBTE head of media further said that the dual certification opens doors to career advancement opportunities as well as providing a strong foundation for upward mobility and career growth.

    ”The dual certification offers a competitive edge in the job market, enhances career prospects, and equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their chosen fields.

    ”This dual certification is expected to significantly enhance employability. However, NBTE is aware of the limited skills training facilities in our polytechnics and is therefore allowing a phased introduction.

    ”The guideline provides polytechnic administrators with methods for implementing this new provision.

    “Quality assurance is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness and relevance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes”, she noted.

    She added that assessors would play vital role in this process, through evaluating the quality of education and training provided in various technical and vocational fields.

    According to her, their role will include assessing standards, learning outcomes, and the overall performance of Skills Development Centres (SDCs) in polytechnics and other TVET institutions.

    “Under the MSQ, HND level students who have acquired NSQ at the ND level can enroll in Quality Assurance Assessor (QAA) training as an alternative to another NSQ.

    “The QAA certificate will be valuable in the workplace, as many industries require on-the-job training,” she said.

    She noted that Nigeria’s technical manpower situation was characterised by several challenges, including skill shortages, a mismatch between industry needs and training, and a lack of synergy between industry, government agencies, and TVET institutions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FAK/DCO/SH

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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Zamfara seeks increased TETFund interventions to salvage education 

    Intervention
    By Funmilayo Adeyemi
    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to increase its level of intervention to the state-owned tertiary institutions.
    Lawal who made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, added the intervention would boost infrastructure development of the schools.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports  TETFUND, is a scheme established in 2011 by the Federal Government to disburse, manage, and monitor education tax to government-owned tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
    The governor said that the appeal followed his declaration of state-of-emergency in the education sector in Zamfara, and the lack of financial muscle to address the needed reform in the sector.
    He said the sought support from TETFund was to urgently complete some of the abandoned projects, especially at the state-owned University, to expand access to university education for students in the state.
    “I came to say thank you to TETFUND, but at the same time to ask for more interventions, considering the financial situation of the state.
    “Remember, sometimes in November, last year, we declared emergency in the education sector.
    “That is why I’m here to continue to follow up on wherever we can get help, so that things will be better in Zamfara,” he said.
    Speaking on the security situation in the state, Lawal said security had become a major challenge.
    He, however,  assured of the state government’s readiness to combat it.
    Responding, Echono assured that TETFund would continue with equitable distribution of funds to institutions nationwide as part of its statutory mandates.
    He noted that much was going into Zamfara in spite of the security challenges in the state.
    Echono assured that the fund would continue to ensure that every part of the country and every student across the country have access to quality education.
    “The Governor came on appreciation visit, because we are doing a lot, despite the security challenges in Zamfara..
    “He came with very specific request, especially as it relates to state institutions. Zamfara like any other states is one of the beneficiaries of our High-Impact projects.
    “And he was canvassing for us to complete some already ongoing projects, because they are having funding challenges,” Echono said.
    The TetFund boss explained that some specifics had to be worked out before the Fund could do anything about the identified  abandoned projects in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FAK/KOO/ROT
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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Rotimi Ijikanmi

  • WASSCE: FG applauds smooth conduct as 1.8m write exam

    WASSCE: FG applauds smooth conduct as 1.8m write exam

    Examination
    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has applauded the smooth conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    Mamman expressed confidence in the conduct of the examination during the monitoring of the examination at the Government Secondary School Garki, in Abuja on Thursday.

    The Minister said there was no incident reported during the conduct and he commended the examination process.

    He expressed dissatisfaction over the some infrastructure in the school saying that the right thing would be done to give the school the desired facelift.

    “We are here to check the ongoing WAEC examinations and the exams is going on very smoothly, we are happy with the nationwide exams and so far we haven’t had any incident in the exams,” Mamman said.

    Speaking on the examinations, the Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, said about 1.8 million candidates were sitting for the examination.

    Dangut said the 2024 examination had slightly more females above the number of males with the ratio of 51:49.

    He added that the examination is taking place in over 20,000 school centres nationwide, while commending the candidates’ comportment in the ongoing exercise.

    “This year’s exam has been very successful as there has been no report of any leakage whatsoever, so it’s going on smoothly.

    “As the minister has attested to it when moving round, you will see that there was calmness as the students were well comported and writing very well,” Dangut said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the May/June WASSCE which began on April 30, is expected to end on June 24.

    The examination is ongoing in four WAEC member countries namely, Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra-Leone and Liberia. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FAK/ORO
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    Edited by Razak Owolabi

  • Graduation: Olu of Warri’s wife urges stakeholders to prioritise education

     

     

    Graduation

    By Funmilayo  Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN)The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Academy, Abuja, has graduated  five high school students (senior secondary school students) and three middle school students (Junior secondary) for the 2024 session.

    Addressing the gradaunds at the Class of 2024 graduation celebration in Abuja, Wife of the Olu of Warri, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, urged relevant stakeholders to prioritise education.

    According to her, it is the  duty of the stakeholders to prioritise education for sustainable growth and development of the nation.

    “Nigeria’s education system is plagued with many challenges and I will liken it to an elephant; you cannot eat a whole elephant at once.

    “The many challenges resemble the body of an elephant; the first thing that we must do as a nation is to take education seriously.

    “Once you take education seriously, then we can begin to take necessary steps to ensuring that we build our education system to one that can compete globally.

    “The first step we must do is to be committed to eating the elephant, be committed to education, be committed to ensuring that you are making an impact and make education a priority,” she said.

    She added that prioritising education would translate to addressing out-of-school children, teacher training, infrastructure and curriculum issues.

    She  urged the graduands to be intentional in shining their light noting that their abilities to shine would build resilient in them and as well lead them to their destinies.

    The Head of School, CTL Academy, Dr Agodi Alagbe, said that the academy had always striven for excellence.

    Alagbe affirmed that the achievements of the academy stood as testimony to the quality of education imparted to students and unwavering commitment to staff members.

    She said that over the years, the academy had nurtured and shaped young minds, instilling in them the values of knowledge, integrity and perseverance.

    “We are very child-centred; we don’t believe that any two children are the same and so we do what we call differentiated instruction.

    “This means you could have few kids in the same class and grade level but we really get to know the children as individuals and create learning opportunities that are specific to their needs.

    “So they can grow, flourish and maximise their potential; we have given them all it will take them to succeed; we are waiting to see what they will become,” she said.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Mr Robert Gabor, commended the school for investing in the future of Nigerians, charging the graduands to also invest in their abilities and communities.

    Gabor also called on the graduands to learn new skills as that was the only way to contribute to the growth and development of their immediate community and country at large.

    Some of the graduating students, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged their allegiance to Nigeria and to contribute their knowledge towards developing the country.

    Alex-Xerina Idusuyi, one of the students, who had secured an admission to study international business at the Wichita State University, U.S., pledged to return after her programme to build the nation.

    Also, the school’s best graduating student, Lotachi Alagbe, attributed her academic feat to the support and encouragement from her family and friends.

    Alagbe, who had also secured an admission at the Preston University, U.S., vowed to return and contribute her quota toward the development of the country.

    NAN reports that the school, which has the nursery, primary and secondary sections, offered the American curriculum for both local and international students. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    FAK/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

     

  • Climate change: NGO establishes ‘Eco Heroes club’ in Abuja school 

     

    Climate

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Ecolife Conservative Initiative, an NGO, has established an ‘Eco Heroes Club’ at the VineCare Schools, Abuja, to mitigate the effect of climate change.

    The Executive Director of the initiative, Mr Chibuzor Akubuike, spoke during the event in commemoration of the World Environment Day on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said the club was necessary to train children how to protect their environment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 annually, with the aim of raising awareness on the need to fight global warming and climate change.

    The 2024 theme is tagged “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience.’’

    According to Akubuike, the club will take up the ‘zero litter campaign’, presently at the VineCare Schools to other schools in Abuja and across the country.

    “The campaign is aimed at building an army of students that will be aware of the need to take care of the environment to mitigate the effect of climate change,’’ he said.

    Also, the Head of Basic School, VineCare Schools, Mr Taiwo Odanaogun, said the hands-on experiences received by the students played significant role in preserving the country’s natural resources.

    Odanaogun said that all hands must be on deck especially educators, to instill in the young minds the values of environmental stewardship and sustainable living.

    “Our ‘Eco Heroes: Zero Litter Campaign’ is a testament to our commitment to creating a cleaner and greener future.

    “Through this campaign, we aim to empower our pupils to take active roles in reducing litter, recycling and participating in tree planting activities.

    “These actions, although small, have a profound impact on our environment,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker, Mr Absalom Jimba, charged the young Eco heroes to take responsibilities as their collective efforts were powerful steps to a cleaner and greener world.

    “The theme reminds us of the vital role we play in protecting our environment. Littering only not tarnishes our beautiful surroundings but also harms wildlife and pollutes our water and soil.

    “Each piece of litter we see is a small reminder of the impact human actions have on our planet,” he said.

    NAN also report that the commemoration featured tree planting exercise by the initiative and students of VineCare Schools as well as presentation of recyclables, non-recyclables and organic waste baskets to the school. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FAK/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • Unity Schools: 70,603 pupils write 2024 common entrance exam

    Entrance
    By Funmilayo Adeyemi
    Abuja, June 1, 2024 (NAN) Some 70,603 candidates sat for the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into federal unity colleges on Saturday.
    The Registrar/CEO, National Examination Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, during the monitoring in Abuja, said there was a reduction in the registration compared to 2023, when 72,865 registered.
    Reeling out the statistics, Wushishi said the council registered 33,335 male and 37,268 female, a lower registration compared to 2023 with 34,064 male and 38,801 female.
    According to him, the candidates were posted to write the examination in  599 centres across the country.
    He said that many factors were responsible for the lower registration, including the economy.
    “There was a slight increase in the cost of registration and we all know what is happening in the economy.
    “This affected everybody, especially those in the rural areas; candidates are not sponsored at this level,” he said.
    Speaking on the promise made in 2023 by the then Permanent Secretary, Mr David Adejo, that no underage candidate would be allowed to sit for the exams, Wushishi said the council had implemented the decision.
    “We have promised to addressed the situation of underage children writing the exams and we did.
    “You will find out that most of the candidates you see here that look underage are not, because some of them have just one month to complete 10 years.
    “So, in such cases, we excuse them to write; we don’t have any issue that has to do with any underage sitting this exams,” he added.
    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Sen. Lawal Usman, commended NECO for the conduct of the examination.
    Usman, representing Kaduna Central, urged the council to upgrade its examinations to ICT platform just at conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
    He said that sponsorship for NECO and JAMB was rolled out throughout his state.
    “We contributed over 200 million to parents to be able to pay for the children’s NECO and JAMB.
    “I am calling on other senators and house members to key into this because this is the foundation for every child,” he said.
    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, who spoke on the assessment of the examination, expressed satisfaction with the conduct.
    “We’ve just been monitoring the ongoing NECO exams; in the FCT, we have 55 centres, but we have so far monitored three.
    “Generally, everything is going on well and we are happy with what NECO has put in place to ensure a smooth and seamless exercise,” she said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the schools visited during the monitoring include Model Secondary School, Maitama and Government Day Secondary School, Wuse II. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    FAK/SOA
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    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle