NCCE: NANCES Senate President "Hon. Augustine Anthony" speaks at the Summit.

BEING A POSITION PAPER PRESENTED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA COLLEGES OF EDUCATION STUDENTS(NANCES), AT THE NATIONAL SUMMIT ON THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (NCE). HELD THESE DAYS, 23rd TO 24th MARCH, 2022.

ORGANIZED BY NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION (NCCE)

WITH THE THEME: NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION: THE WAY FORWARD.

Combatant greetings, on behave of entire Students in all accredited colleges of education in Nigeria, the Executives, Legislative and stakeholders of National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students, NANCES. We appreciate the National Commission for Colleges of Education NCCE for organizing this wonderful summit, and our fundamental Gbosa !!! goes to entire Commission from our Dynamic Executive Secretary, to the planning committee of this summit for deeming it fit to extend the invitation to NANCES.

As the theme of the summit implies, Nigeria certificate in Education: The way forward.

To get the way forward, it is imperative to identify and itemize the problem facing Nigeria certificate in Education and we have strong believe, as a student body that this summit will provide the way forward.

  PROBLEMS FACING NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION AND WAY FORWARD.

Government policies: It is important for the educational stakeholders in this summit to recall that the policy of federal government stopped, NCE holders from going to National Youth Service in 1984 , and this policy was the beginning of diminishing the value of Nigeria certificate in education, the policy of federal Government fail to realize that NCE offer to Students that passes through Colleges of education and it takes minimum of 3 years for Students to get this certificate , before such a student can get his/her Degree he must spent minimum  of another 3years sometimes 4years as the case may be, this make it minimum of 6 -7year for any teachers education Students that pass through Colleges of education to be a degree holders , before 6year of academic battle, the age limit of NYSC catch up with Colleges of education Students. what we understand about this policy is that, a student that chooses to have Nigeria Certificate in education must be ready to sacrifices his or her NYSC, this is a policy that need quick adjustment for the summit to get the way forward on NCE.

The lecturers of Colleges of Education cannot raise to professorship level without moving to university. Meaning that there is a limitation governing the college systems. Many lecturers lecture both in colleges and university and if checked you will notice that such lecturer is well grounded in the field. If so why can’t they be professors?

The joint admission and matriculation board {JAMB}, has made NCE looks like a dumping ground for those who could not secure admission to varsity, and as such many students comes into NCE not for the passion of teaching rather as an alternative to kill boredom. Or are forcedly sent by their parent or guidance.

THE WAY FORWARD.

The federal government as matter of urgency should adjust the act that established National Commission for Colleges of education and empower all Colleges of education to offer Degree certificate to all Students finishing their NCE program by doing a top up program of one year and maximum of two years depending on the course of study and then become a degree holder

Educational programs should move out of University or strictly supervised by the NCCE, any Students that are interested to study education should pass through Colleges of education.

Students of Colleges of education should be allowed to service or NYSC should remove age limit for teacher’s education Students.

Lecturers of colleges of education should be able to raise to professorship while remaining in Colleges of education.

Jamb cut-off mark for colleges of education should be reviewed, and admission giving on merit because teaching is a very sensitive part of the society, and no nation can do without it teacher, and as such when we build the teachers we build the nation and when we destroy the teachers, we destroy the nation.

The reintroduction of National teacher’s corps by prof. Chinwe Obaji former minister of education 2005

Thanks………………………….

This paper was presented by Rt. Hon. Augustine Anthony Tobechukwu 

President of the senate National Association of Nigerian Colleges of education students {NANCES}