The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Education

  • Gov Mbah’s education policy to contribute to 4th industrial revolution – Enugu SSG

    Gov Mbah’s education policy to contribute to 4th industrial revolution – Enugu SSG

    The Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, has disclosed that the education policy of the present administration is geared towards contributing to the bio-digital-technology that would drive the fourth industrial revolution across the globe through the introduction of innovative technologies in education, particularly in the state’s basic education system.

    The SSG, while delivering a keynote address titled, “Smart Basic Education and the Future of Africa” at a quadrennial convention organised by the Union Secondary School Awkunanaw Enugu Old Boys Association (UNISSOBA) in Enugu on Thursday, said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah has taken some deliberate steps at reforming the education system to meet the much needed changing global demands.

    He noted that with the African continent constituting the world’s youngest and largest population compared with other continents with declining and ageing populations, it has the greatest human capital opportunity, and future talent pool with enormous opportunities.

    He, however, expressed regret that the continent is lagging behind in terms of quality education with a high rate of schooling and learning poverty rate which could rob the continent of the emerging future opportunities.

    “We recently conducted a Baseline Assessment of our primary schools in Enugu State in November 2023. Our findings were shocking. After four years of primary schooling, 50% of our children cannot read a single word in English. Those who can read struggle with comprehension. After six years of primary schooling, 50% of our children cannot solve simple subtraction challenges. What we found out in Enugu State is writ large across our nation. In Nigeria, 3 out of 4 children who complete basic education lack numeracy and literacy proficiency. The World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO have defined this as “the Nigerian Learning Crisis.” On top of this, our children suffer a “Skills Gap” because existing modes of rote teaching do not equip children with scientific, technological, productive, and digital competences,” he observed.

    Speaking further, Prof Onyia expressed optimism that the challenges were being addressed by the well-thought out radical policy-initiatives by the state government which would not only equip students with emerging future technological skills, but would also afford them opportunities to compete with their peers globally.

    He explained that with the introduction of the smart school model across the 260 electoral wards in the state, which has new facilities such as the centre for artificial intelligence, interactive smart boards, centre for robotics, among others, the state is set to lead in the fourth industrial revolution, adding that the academic curricula would now emphasize on experiential learning methods, problem-solving and case studies.

    “In Enugu State, we now believe that in addition to providing continuous training and professional development to teachers within the school systems, we must also transform how teachers teach, as well as how students learn, by adopting Experiential Learning, as a robust and lasting solution to the learning crisis and skills gap. Experiential Learning requires multisensory instruction to support project- or solutions-based learning beyond classrooms. It requires introducing innovative technologies in education, encouraging children to engage in experimentation, critical inquiry, and research early in life, and supporting them to solve real life problems as a normal part of their education experience. This is the only way that our education system can create a skilled labour force that can contribute to the emerging fourth industrial revolution. Experiential Learning is the pathway for Africa’s youth to become leading global citizens.

    “The objective is to build the human capital of Enugu State, which will enable us to increase our GDP from $4.4b to $30b USD per annum and achieve zero poverty headcount over the next four-eight years. This revolution begins with the establishment Smart Green Schools, one in each of the 260 wards within the State. Each Smart Green School is equipped with an internet system, a robotics and artificial intelligence centre, a modern ICT centre, two science laboratories, a hybrid multimedia library, a technology laboratory, a creative production studio, 25 inclusive classrooms with digital white boards, and 700 android tablets,” Prof Onyia stated.

  • JAMB Shoots Up UTME Fees For 2024

    JAMB Shoots Up UTME Fees For 2024

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced an adjustment in the registration fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for the year 2024.

    According to an official statement by JAMB, the revised registration fees for UTME are now N7,700, inclusive of a mock examination, and N6,200 for UTME registration without the mock examination.

    Previously, the cost of the JAMB form without a mock exam stood at N5,700, while the application form inclusive of a mock exam was priced at N6,700.

    Foreign candidates seeking to obtain the application documents will now do so at a fee of $30.

    JAMB is expected to provide a comprehensive breakdown of these fees upon releasing the registration details on or before January 15, 2024.

    In addition to the adjustments in UTME registration fees, JAMB has unveiled the registration period for the sale of Direct Entry (DE) application documents in 2024.

    The sale of Direct Entry application documents is scheduled to commence on February 28, 2024, and will conclude on March 28, 2024.

    As the process of creating profile codes for registration is currently ongoing, JAMB has advised prospective candidates to stay updated on official announcements and guidelines to facilitate a smooth registration process.

    Detailed guidelines on profile code generation will be provided closer to the registration commencement date on January 15, 2024.

    “This is to inform all prospective 2024 UTME/DE candidates that creation of Profiles for registration has officially started, while the sale of application documents will commence on Monday 15th January 2024,” JAMB wrote on its official X page. “You are to please take note of the following important dates for the coming UTME/DE exercise.”

    Leadership

  • 61% Of Candidates Pass As NECO Releases 2023 Results

    61% Of Candidates Pass As NECO Releases 2023 Results

    The National Examination Council has released the 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal results.

    In a press briefing in Minnaon Tuesday, NECO’s Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, said the result summary shows that 61.6 percent scored five credits, including English and Mathematics.

    The number of candidates who registered for the exam was 1,205,888, and the number of candidates who sat for the exams was 1,196,985.

    Giving a breakdown of the figures, Wushishi said 616,398 of the candidates were male and 580,587 females sat for the Examination.

    Of the figure, the number of candidates with five credits and above, including English and Maths were 737, 308.

    The number of candidates with five credits, irrespective of English and Mathematics, is 1,013,611, representing 84.68 percent.

    “Number of candidates registered for the examination is 1,205,888, representing 621,084 males and 584,804 Females,” he said.

    “The number of candidates that sat is 1,196,985, representing 616,398 Males and 580,587 females. Number of candidates with five Credits and above, including English and Mathematics is 737,308, representing 61.60%.

    “Number of candidates with five Credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics is 1,013,611, representing 84.68%.”

    See the full speech by the NECO Registrar below:

    NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (NECO) PRESS BRIEFING ON THE RELEASE OF 2023 SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION (SSCE) INTERNAL RESULTS, HELD ON FRIDAY 6TH OCTOBER, 2023 AT THE CONFERENCE HALL, NECO HEADQUARTERS, MINNA, NIGER STATE

    BY PROFESSOR DANTANI IBRAHIM WUSHISHI

    REGISTRAR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

    PROTOCOL

    I want to start by thanking the Almighty Allah for sparing our lives to witness yet another occasion marking the release of the 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal results.  It is my honour and privilege, therefore, to welcome you all to this press briefing, on behalf of the Management and Staff of the National Examinations Council (NECO).

    As usual, I want to start by expressing our sincere gratitude and appreciation to some key agencies and some States’ Ministries of Education for lending support in the area of logistics.  We thank you all for your unending support and collaboration.  We equally want to thank our friends from the fourth estate of the realm for your continuous support and partnership.

    Our special thanks goes to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR as well as to the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andrew David Adejoh for their guidance and support.

    I want to also extend our deep appreciation to the National Assembly, especially members of the Senate and House Committees on Education for their support, guidance and collaboration.  Worthy of special mention also are our dedicated examiners, without whom today’s event would not have been possible.  We thank you for working according to schedule and for keeping faith with us. Our teeming staff are not left behind.  I commend you for your hard work, dedication and commitment.

    The 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal was conducted from Monday 10th July to Friday 11th August 2023 and the Marking Exercise took place from Wednesday 30th August to Friday 15th September 2023.  This means that this year, we are releasing our results 58 days after the last written paper.  This is as a result of our desire to ensure that we release the complete results, rather than in batches.

    I am therefore highly pleased to inform you that all the processes leading to the successful release of the 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal results have been concluded, which is why we are all gathered here today.

    Distinguished guests, my dear Colleagues and gentlemen of the Press, it gladdens my heart to notify you that reports we have received so far indicate that the 2023 SSCE Internal has been certified the best in recent times.  We are very thankful to God for this and to all those who made it possible.

    On this refreshing note, may I crave your indulgence to permit me to release the highlights of the results below:

    This year, we have designed the analyses in a variety of ways that will help awaken Stakeholders to the realization of their true position in the national sphere.  Our aim is to stimulate a healthy discourse towards improvement.  This is also in line with our mandate that empowers us to conduct a Standard National Assessment of educational performance at Junior and Senior Secondary School levels.  The highlights are as follows:

    Number of candidates registered for the examination is 1,205,888, representing 621,084 males and 584,804 Females.

    Number of candidates that sat is 1,196,985, representing 616,398 Males and 580,587 females.

    Number of candidates with five Credits and above, including English and Mathematics is 737,308, representing 61.60%.

    Number of candidates with five Credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics is 1,013,611, representing 84.68%.

    Number of candidates with special needs is 1,542, with the breakdown as follows:

    913 candidates with hearing impairment

    162 candidates with visual impairment

    103 candidates with Albinism

    61 candidates with Autism

    149 candidates with low vision

    154 candidates with Adermatoglyphia, i.e. candidates with no     fingerprints

    Number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2023 is 12,030 (0.07%) as against 13,594 (0.13%) in 2022 representing 61.60%.

    More details about the results can be found in the following tables (attached).

    Tables 1 and 2 – performance of candidates by subject.

    Tables 3 A and B – Analysis of candidates’ performance by States (Five Credits and above, including English and Mathematics and five Credits and above irrespective of English and Mathematics).

    Table 4 – Standard Educational Performance ranking of States (Males and Females) 5 Credits and above including English and Mathematics.

    Table 5 – Male Standard Educational performance ranking of States. 5 Credits and above, including English and Mathmatics.

    Table 6 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking of States. 5 Credits and above, including English and Mathematics.

    Table 7 – Standard Educational Performance Ranking of States (Males and Females). 5 Credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics.

    Table 8 – Male Standard Educational Performance ranking of States 5 Credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics.

    Table 9 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking of States 5 Credits and above irrespective of English and Mathematics.

    Table 10 – Standard Educational Performance ranking (North Central Zone).

    Table 11 –    Male Standard Educational Performance ranking

    (North Central Zone)

    Table 12 –    Female Standard Educational Performance ranking

    (North Central Zone).

    Table 13 –  Standard Educational Performance ranking (North East Zone)

    Table 14 –   Male Standard Educational Performance ranking (North East Zone).

    Table 15 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking (North East Zone).

    Table 16 – Standard Educational Performance ranking (North West Zone).

    Table 17 – Male Standard Educational Performance ranking (North West Zone).

    Table 18 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking (North West Zone).

    Table 19 – Standard Educational Performance ranking (South East Zone).

    Table 20 – Male Standard Educational Performance ranking (South East Zone).

    Table 21 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking (South East Zone).

    Table 22 – Standard Educational Performance ranking (South South Zone).

    Table 23 – Male Standard Educational Performance ranking (South South Zone).

    Table 24 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking (South South Zone).

    Table 25 – Standard Educational Performance ranking (South West Zone).

    Table 26 – Male Standard Educational Performance ranking (South West Zone).

    Table 27 – Female Standard Educational Performance ranking (South West Zone).

    Table 28 – Comparison of malpractice by Type, 2022 and 2023 SSCE (Internal).

    Table 29 – Analysis of Malpractice cases by Subject by Type, 2023 SSCE (Internal).

    Table 30 – Malpractice by Type, 2023 SSCE (Internal).

    In line with our resolve to identify and sanction erring Schools and Supervisors, ninety three (93) schools were found to have been involved in whole school (Mass) cheating.  They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.

    Similarly, fifty two (52) Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor Supervision, Aiding and Abetting during the examination.

    At this juncture, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to formally declare that the 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal results are hereby released to the public.  By this release, candidates can now access their results on NECO website:  www.neco.gov.ng, using their examination registration numbers.

    Thank you all for listening.

    Prof. DANTANI IBRAHIM WUSHISHI

    REGISTRAR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE

  • Enugu NAPPS to hold NAPPS Day Celebration October 12

    Enugu NAPPS to hold NAPPS Day Celebration October 12

    Following her usual practice, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Enugu State Chapter, will hold her 2023 NAPPS Day.

    The celebration scheduled for Thursday October 12, 2023, by 10am at the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu is themed ‘Sustainability For Tomorrow’s Generation: NAPPS Unites For Climate Action’.

    Speaking to our Enugu correspondent on the significance of the October 12 NAPPS Day Celebration in the state, the Enugu state chairman of the association, Comrd. Ernest Ikeugwu said the celebration is a day Proprietors of private schools gather to discuss issues, proffer solutions and make their stand known while rewarding students, teachers and schools.

    He noted that although the event is organized by proprietors of private schools, the general public are encouraged to be in attendance.

    In his words: “The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Enugu state executive council is set to hold her 2023 NAPPS DAY.

    “It is already an established fact that private schools hugely contribute to the educational development of Nigeria. We compensate, sometimes taking the lead in, government efforts to standardizing education in our nation.

    “In line with our tradition, all private schools in Enugu state will observe the day as a public holiday. Proprietors and schools will turn out in their numbers. Students and Pupils of different schools will put up different performances and part of what we will do is to reward the best performing schools.

    “The invitation to the NAPPS day is an open one. The general public is invited to witness the epoch making event”.

    Our correspondent gathered from the Organising Committee’s Chairperson, Lady Lily Okechukwu that the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah is expected to grace the celebration as the Chief Guest of Honour.

    She further added that accreditation for the celebration starts by 7.30am.

  • Education to rank high in budget allocation as Mbah sets to rehabilitate Nigerian Law School

    Education to rank high in budget allocation as Mbah sets to rehabilitate Nigerian Law School

    The Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has said his administration would earmark high allocation to the education sector in the state even as he assured support for the Nigerian Law School in the areas of new infrastructure and rehabilitation of the existing dilapidated structures in the school.

    Governor Mbah gave the assurances, Monday, when the senior management staff of the Enugu Campus of the Nigerian Law School led by the Deputy Director General (DDG), Mrs. Maureen Stanley-Idum, paid a courtesy visit in his office at the Government House, Enugu, to solicit the state’s support to upgrade the institution.

    The governor, who further said his government was keen on providing the right infrastructure and conducive learning environment for students in the state, said education was key to achieving and sustaining the legacy projects the administration had rolled out.

    According to him, plans had already been activated to review the state’s academic curriculum targeted at providing independent, well-equipped and adequately trained students with modern skills irrespective of areas of specialization.

    Promising that the education sector would be one of the major beneficiaries of next year’s allocations in the budget, Mbah said the administration had picked special interest in primary school, through the tertiary education system, pointing at the cut off programme that was designed to encourage early child learning.

    “We have a programmme we refer to as Cut-Off Point which identifies the young ones at age three and instills in them the right civic habits and moral values. We are changing the way they learn. We are also interested in our students in the university,” the governor said.

    He also noted that before vying for the governorship office, he had interacted with the former Deputy Director General of the campus where he promised to build a state-of-the-art moot court for them, as part of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd’s Corporate Social Responsibility, saying the plan had not been abandoned as he would reach out to the management of the company to remind them of the pledge.

    Mbah, who said he would direct his Special Adviser on Project Development and Implementation to inspect the conditions of the institution and activate the process of rehabilitation, added that the state government would not abandon the school especially now that it was in dire needs of intervention.

    “I noticed you outlined a good number of pressing needs. You talked about vehicles, the auditorium, and renovation of dilapidated academic building for lecturers, ICT, and library, among others. So, we are going to partner with the Nigerian Law School to see how we can support you on those items you listed. Be assured of our support and commitment,” the governor added.

    Speaking earlier, the DDG, who expressed support and solidarity for the governor, said they had visited to identify with him as both a lawyer and a governor who understood the task of leading the state to greater heights.

    “It is our earnest prayer that the Lord will increase your capacity as an instrument of peace and social transformation in a way that your administration will be characterized by remarkably improved good governance with attendant positive fruits seen in interpersonal harmony among the people, infrastructural development, social cohesion and security,” she noted.

    While underscoring the challenges of the campus and the need to expand its capacity from its current 750 to 1500 capacity, the DDG stated that the institution was battling with the problems of inadequate facilities and infrastructural development, urging the government for immediate intervention.

    “The campus faces challenges and lags behind other campuses in terms of inadequate facilities and infrastructural development. Given the vast expanse of land available, coupled with the huge backlog of law graduates who cannot be admitted, it is imperative to develop as quickly as possible, the Augustine Nnamani Campus so as to reap the maximum advantage and benefits from the decentralization of the Nigerian Law School and the citing of the campus in this part of the country,” she added.

    While listing some of the challenges facing the campus to include logistics, infrastructure and expansion, Mrs. Stanley-Idum said the “citing of the Campus in Enugu was meant to ameliorate the suffering of our students, especially those from this part of the country who had to travel all the way to Lagos or Abuja for their one-year vocational training in law”.

  • World Teachers’ Day: Three Oyo Teachers Rewarded by Federal Government

    World Teachers’ Day: Three Oyo Teachers Rewarded by Federal Government

    …Oyo Making Teaching Profession Attractive- TESCOM Chair

    Three teachers from Oyo state, won awards in various categories of the 2023 Presidential Teachers and School Excellence Award at the Eagle’s square, Abuja, according to a statement sent to Pacesetter.

    This was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, during the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day celebration.

    He added that the Oyo State awardees are part of the winners who were drawn from different public and private primary and secondary schools across the country.

    Prof. Abdulwaheed Adelabu was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Adeniyi Olusanjo at an event organized to mark the 2023 World Teachers’ Day at NUT Model College, Ibadan.

    The awardees from Oyo State are Mr. Babarinlo Samson Oluwaseun, Head teacher, Methodist Basic School, Iseyin; Mr. Amoo Joseph, Principal, Government College, Ibadan; and Barrister Odejayi Olatunde Adedamilola, Proprietor, Second Home College, Olodo, Ibadan.

    On October 5, 2023, Oyo State teachers joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s World Teachers’ Day.

    Congratulating the winners, Prof. Adelabu reiterated the Oyo State government’s focus on reforms in the education sector, including recruitment of more teachers into the primary sector of the state.

    He said “the recruitment and posting of teachers to all our public secondary schools, prompt payment of salaries and good working conditions is now the order of the day. Effort is ongoing to recruit teachers at the primary school level. This has gone a long way in addressing the issue of out of school children, thereby ranking the State as one of the best in the Nation.”

    The Commissioner applauded the efforts of all teachers, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Wing for being pillars of support to the present administration.

    Adelabu said studies have shown that acute shortage of teachers is usually caused by poor salaries, poor working conditions and high student-teacher ratio, noting that this is a thing of the past in Oyo State.

    He therefore appealed to teachers in the State to reciprocate the good gesture of the government by rendering good service to the state’s education sector.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Pastor Akinade Alamu, applauded Governor Seyi Makinde for making the teaching profession attractive in the State.

    Pastor Alamu highlighted the Oyo State government’s efforts towards creating a conducive environment for teachers.

    He noted that though the profession is still faced with some challenges, the Oyo State Government is poised to make life more meaningful for teachers.

    In his speech, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Raji Oladimeji, said teachers in the State are enjoying the dividends of good governance.

    He thanked the Oyo State Government for giving an enabling environment for teachers to exhibit their talents.

    Comrade Raji who also applauded the appointment of a Professor as the Commissioner for Education, noted that the State Government has not relented in prompt payment of salaries; defrayment of all backlog of deductions; upward review of car loans to teachers; among other kind gestures towards teachers.

    Highlights of the event include presentation of awards to the Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Dotun Sanusi; and a match-past by teachers from all the zones in Oyo State.

    The event was graced by stakeholders in the Education sector, including the Ag. Executive Secretary, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Olaide Ladipo; Education Secretaries; past NUT chairmen; Permanent Secretaries/Tutor Generals from Ministry of Education among others.

    World Teachers’ Day, marked since 1994, was introduced to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 International Labour Organisation/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ILO/UNESCO) recommendation concerning the status of teachers.

    In 2023, World Teachers’ Day celebrations focused on the theme “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.”

  • Kano Gov slashes tuition by 50% for indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions

    Kano Gov slashes tuition by 50% for indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions

    Kano State Government has slashed tuition fees for the state-owned tertiary institutions by 50 per cent.

    The Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata who made this known in a statement said the resolve is to alleviate the compounding financial hardships for the good people of the state thereby slashing the registration fees for the indigene students across the state-owned tertiary institutions.

    He said the decision was made during the meeting with the heads of tertiary institutions, the visitor and the Governor of the state on Tuesday afternoon in the State Capital.

    “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has issued this heroic approval for the slash of 50% of the registration fees for all Kano State indigenes studying at state institutions to cushion the worsening economic condition the people have been going through in recent days all over the nation.

    “The decision will further reduce the effect of this current economic adversity on passionate students and their ardent parents who might be suffering from the consequences of fuel subsidy removal and economic hardship which is making life very difficult for the masses as a result of unimaginable inflation of essential commodities.

    “Therefore, with this notice, all indigenes of Kano State studying regular courses at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil; Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano; Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso; Aminu Kano College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Kano State Polytechnic; Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta; Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso College of Advanced and Remedial Studies, Tudun Wada; Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies, are to enjoy the total relief of 50% reduction in the registration fee in the 2023/2024 academic session.”

    He added that it is worth mentioning that the decision is in line with the core objective and overarching government focus on education, not only education but quality education and sustainable educational development in the state.

    “On this note, His Excellence, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf is primed to hit the ground running with laudable pro-poor educational policies, such as the restoration of the foreign scholarship programme committed to sponsor 1,001 best graduates this year, unconditional payment of the registration fees of Kano indigene studying in Bayero University, Kano, and reopening of various institutes of entrepreneurship and vocational studies.

    “The government is vivid in its resolve to redeem the glory of the state with these laudable programmes, which would surely enhance the survival chances of well-meaning individuals with the required skills and training, thereby making education accessible to everyone in the state.”

    While congratulating the students, parents, and the people of Kano on the development, the Commissioner hoped that the beneficiaries and entire people of the state would lend their unflinching support and cooperation to the present administration in its frantic determination to bring overall progress and development of our dear state.

    Daily Trust

  • NBTE launches online programmes for HND conversion to BSc in one year

    Graduates-in-Nigeria
    Graduates in Nigeria (File Photo)

    The National Board for Technical Education has unveiled an online top-up programme for Higher National Diploma holders to convert their certification to Bachelor’s Degree through online top-up for one year, with foreign accredited universities.

    The board disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by its Head of Media Unit, Mrs Fatima Abubakar.

    Abubakar said this was also to facilitate the progression of HND holders to higher degrees.

    “Attempts in the past to get the National Universities Commission to approve a two-year Master of Technology for HND holders in some polytechnics did not see the light of the day.

    “Many times, HND Holders are forced to go for a one-year Postgraduate Diploma before they could be admitted into the Master’s Program in Universities.

    ”The disadvantage of the PGD is that holders who continue to do PhD and wish to migrate to a Nigerian University will always be queried to produce their first degree, even when they have doctorates.

    ”To end this unwarranted prejudice, NBTE has now created this progression pathway for HND holders. This can be accessed at https://topup.nbte.gov.ng,” she said.

    Abubakar added that another challenge facing many polytechnic HND graduates was mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps.

    According to her, many are admitted into non-accredited programmes and after the HND, they are not mobilised for the NYSC.

    ”NBTE has now created a HND admission portal for use by all polytechnics. Only accredited programmes shall be visible on the portal and NYSC shall have viewing rights to know admitted candidates to be mobilised.

    ”This will hopefully bring an end to illegal HND admissions of unaccredited programmes and at the same time ensure carrying capacities are adhered to for quality assurance.

    ”Finally, the board wishes to appeal to Mr President to please sign the bill removing the HND-BSc Dichotomy in the public service as passed by the last National Assembly.

    ”This is to end the unjust and undeserved discrimination against graduates of the polytechnic system,” she said.

    She further said that the absence of legal backing necessitated the board to find ways of enhancing the standing of HND holders.

    Abubakar said that this must be done because the HND holders in reality hold the key to Nigeria’s industrialisation and key skills for delivery of needed infrastructure in the country.

    NAN

  • WAEC releases 2023 WASSCE results, withholds results of eight states over non-payment of exam fees

    WAEC releases 2023 WASSCE results, withholds results of eight states over non-payment of exam fees

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Monday, in Lagos, released the results of this year’s May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    A total of 1,613,733 candidates sat the examination, out of which 1,287,920 (representing 79.81%) obtained credits and above in at least five mandatory subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, which is a marginal increase from that of 76.36% of last year.

    Meanwhile, candidates will have the opportunity for the first time in the history of WAEC to from 12 hours from now access their results online and also download the digital copies of their certificates on the council’s website while same will still send to their schools later.

    Furthermore, no fewer than eight states including Niger out of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory which are yet to pay for their candidates’ exam fees in full would have their candidates’ results withheld until they pay the money in full and likewise, a total of 262,803. candidates (representing 16. 29%) of the total number of candidates, who sat the exam are being withheld in connection with various reported cases of exam malpractice, and their cases are being investigated to determine if to eventually release or cancel.

    This is (6.54%) lower than the 22.83% recorded in the same exam last year.

    The Head of the National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Mr Patrick Areghan, announced the release of the results and gave the statistics at a news conference held at the headquarters of the organisation in Yaba.

    He explained that the cost of conducting its both school-based and exams for private candidates has gone up astronomically particularly due to rising inflation occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and therefore would ensure to get its money paid in full by the indebted state governments before releasing their candidates results.

    While he also decried the fluctuation in performance of candidates in the exam, Areghan particularly raised great concern on high cases of malpractice in the exam, blaming the development over many reasons.

    According to him, many students no longer prepare well for exams as they rely on the so-called “Expo” which is actually non-existent and also for activities of the “rogue website operators” and some social media platform owners, who post question papers online immediately after the commencement of subject papers and the use of mobile phones in the exam halls in spite of the ban placed on the device.

    He, however, promised that WAEC would continue to sanction all cases of exam malpractice and perpetrators including schools, and school administrators, invigilators and supervisors until the system is rid of sharp practices.

    Areghan, who also complained that the insecurity situation in the country particularly in the North West and some eastern states where the sit-at-home order is imposed as well as armed robbers’ attack at Okigwe really taken a toll on the organisation during the conduct of the exam, stressed that the council was able to get the support of state government and security agencies to help out.

    While disclosing that his tenure as HNO would end in October, Areghan also noted that results of all candidates with special needs including visually (109) and hearing impaired(386), physically challenged (34) and 33 others had been released with that of others.

    He, however, said candidates could start checking their results within the next 12 hours on the council’s website, given at www.waecdirect.org and also access their digital certificates on www.waec.org, using their Smart Identity Card which they used during the exam.

    Tribune

  • Federal Universities Are Still Tuition Free – Presidency

    Federal Universities Are Still Tuition Free – Presidency

    The Presidency says federal universities in the country remain tuition-free.

    Presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, in a statement on Wednesday, said some universities only recently announced “discretionary charges” for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory, amongst others.

    “They are not tuition fees,” he emphasised.

    “For avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free.”

    Last week, some tertiary institutions including the University of Lagos (UNILAG) hiked their fees for new and returning undergraduate students.

    UNILAG especially hinged the move on what it described as the “prevailing economic realities”.

    “After careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, alumni among others), the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Management has reviewed the obligatory fees (mandatory charges for an academic session/year) of new and returning undergraduate students of the University,” the school explained.

    “The adjustment in fees which will take effect from the 1st Semester, 2023/2024 Academic Session, is in view of the prevailing economic realities and the need for the University to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff, and municipal service providers among others.

    “It is also pertinent to note that the University has not increased its obligatory fees in recent years. Management, therefore, seeks the kind understanding and support of students and other stakeholders with the assurance of its commitment towards ensuring that students get the best learning experience.”

    Channels TV

  • Benue NUT threaten strike over mass demotion, arrears of allowances 

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Benue State has threatened to downsize if the government fails to restore promotions and all the arrears of consolidated enhanced allowances removed from their May and June 2023 salaries among other demands.

    State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Levi Terna Akuma, in a telephone conversation with journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, emphasised that their promotions were legally carried out by the past administration.

    “It is not politics,” Akuma said.

    Our correspondent reports that the union already issued the state government a 48-hour ultimatum which elapsed on Wednesday to right the ‘noticeable’ wrongs they have observed in the two months’ salaries paid to them a few days ago.

    Earlier, a communique issued after the Union’s emergency State Executive Council meeting in Makurdi which was signed by its State Chairman, Comrade Levi Terna Akuma and the State Acting Secretary, Comrade Jeremiah Ochonu, called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to restore all the promotions of teachers which it reversed and direct the payment of their arrears within the stipulated time.

    The union lamented the nature of payment of May and June 2023 salaries to primary school teachers in the state which according to the communique was carried out with massive demotion of all teachers on salary grade levels which they have been enjoying since their last promotion of 2021 and the implementation in February 2022.

    The body rejected the removal of consolidated enhanced allowances for all professional teachers totalling 27 per cent for all grade levels seven to 16 which was approved by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum In 2008 and implemented in Benue State in January 2010.

    They also contended the delay in the release of the circular on tenure elongation of primary school teachers (40 years of service and 65 years of chronological age) as spelt by Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria, Act 2022 through a circular letter which was domesticated, assented and gazetted by the Benue State Government among other things.

    The union also faulted the removal of the alleged 2500 ghost workers from payroll as they urged the state government to release the names of all those removed from the Payment Vouchers of May and June 2023 for clarity.

    Meanwhile, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has called on Governor Alia to heed the ultimatum of the NUT and reverse all the decisions he has taken which it said are clearly not in the interest of the state.

    State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Bemgba Iortyom, said, “No responsible government wakes up and at the whim of the governor reverses conditions of labour relations which are the product of law and operative nationwide, just like that.”

    It would be recalled that the state governor, Alia intimated last week, that his administration successfully in the first phase of its ongoing probe removed 2500 ghost workers from payroll, thereby saving the sum of N1.2billion and reducing teachers’ way 1bills from N1.6billon to N800million.

    Daily Trust

  • ASUU frowns at curriculum designed by NUC

    ASUU frowns at curriculum designed by NUC

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities has rejected the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards prepared by the National Universities Commission.

    ASUU leader
    ASUU leaders

    The union said it was nightmarish, a threat to quality university education, and an erosion of powers of the university Senate in Nigerian universities.

    A statement signed by the national president of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Friday, explained that it was inexplicable that NUC pre-packaged 70 per cent CCMAS contents were being imposed on the Nigerian University System, adding that university Senates, who are statutorily responsible for academic programme development, were left to work on only 30 per cent.

    It stressed that there were growing concerns about the numerous shortcomings and gross inadequacies of the CCMAS documents.

    “ASUU is not unaware that setting academic standards and assuring quality in the NUS is within the remit of the NUC. Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, Cap E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, enjoins the NUC to lay down the minimum standards for all universities and other degree awarding institutions in the Federation and conduct the accreditation of their degrees and other academic awards.

    “However, the process of generating the standard is as important (if not more important) than what is produced as “minimum standards”.

    “In this instance, the NUC has recently, through some hazy procedures, churned out CCMAS documents containing 70% curricular contents in 17 academic fields with little or no input from the universities. The academic disciplines covered are (i) Administration and Management, (ii) Agriculture, (iii) Allied Health Sciences, (iv) Architecture, (v) Arts, (vi) Basic Medical Sciences, (vii) Computing, (viii) Communication and Media Studies, (ix) Education, (x) Engineering and Technology, (xi) Environmental Sciences, (xii) Law, (xiii) Medicine and Dentistry, (xiv) Pharmaceutical Science, (xv) Sciences, (xvi) Social Sciences, and (xvii) Veterinary Medicine,” it read partly.

    It stressed that many university administrators, though dissatisfied, were shying away from making public comments on CCMAS.

    The statement revealed that, however, some university Senates did not hide their displeasure with the ongoing efforts to impose CCMAS on Nigerian universities by the NUC.

    It read, “The CCMAS is a nightmarish model of curriculum reengineering. It is an aberration to the Nigerian University System. The CCMAS documents are flawed both in process and in content. There is no basis for the 70% “untouchable CCMAS,” which cannot stand the test of critical scrutiny of university Senates.”

    However, it suggested that “NUC should encourage universities, as currently being done by the University of Ibadan, to propose innovations for the review of their programmes. Proposals from across universities should then be sieved and synthesised by more competent expert teams to review the existing BMAS documents and/or create new ones as appropriate.

    “The difference here is the bottom-up approach, unlike the top-bottom or take-it-or-leave-it model of the CCMAS.”

    Punch