Okey Reuben Okechukwu, Provost of Federal College of Education Technical, Isu in Ebonyi State, has praised the Federal Government for implementing the Dual Mode Act, which allows the country’s colleges of education to offer both degree and NCE programmes.
The measure, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, 2024, allows Colleges of Education (CoEs) to produce both NCE and Degree graduates, NCE and B.Ed, in accordance with the Act that established Colleges of Education in the country.
Okey, a Professor and Provost, addressed during the 2nd Matriculation Ceremony of the Federal College of Education Technical, Isu, and expressed hope for the full implementation of the law, pointing out that the law would address the impasse in students’ enrolment in Colleges of Education, which is dwindling.
He urged parents to encourage their wards to seek admission into Federal Colleges of Education Technical Isu and other Colleges of Education as the Act would also address other challenges and prospects of the College of Education System and NCE graduates in the Country.
He said “It’s no longer news that dwindling enrolment in colleges of the education system for acquisition of Nigeria certificate in education (NCE) including Federal Colleges of Education have reached an alarming rate and is on the increase.
“The reasons are many and obvious, including, “Non-trained and professional university graduate teachers have taken over the job of teaching in our primary and secondary education subsector contrary to professional needs, thereby paralysing teacher education.
“Political influence and government policy have eroded basic principles of qualification and certification in the recruitment of teachers. NCE graduates and the Colleges of Education system have hitherto been reduced to third class level in the education frame and ladder in Nigeria.
“Before now, teaching has become unattractive in our country due to poor conditions of service. However, there is good news. Our President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed into law the Dual Mode Act for the Colleges of Education system.
“This act empowers the Federal Colleges of Education to run NCE and Degree Programmes simultaneously within a duration of five (5) or four years or as may be explained in the implementation document. Three (3) years of NCE and two (2) years of Degree Programmes.”