The Federal Government has commenced consultations with provosts and other stakeholders in the North-East to address challenges that may hinder the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy for Colleges of Education.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Dr Angela Ajala, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholder engagement in Gombe.
Ajala said the consultation was part of efforts by the commission to engage institutions across the country, identify peculiar challenges and develop practical solutions ahead of the full implementation of the policy.
She said the initiative was aimed at strengthening teacher education by equipping graduates with professional qualifications and practical skills needed to contribute to national development.
According to her, the new arrangement will provide students of Colleges of Education with opportunities to obtain the National Certificate in Education, Bachelor of Education degree and a skills certificate.
“We are here to know their challenges and how they can be solved. If it is what the colleges can solve on their own, what NCCE can solve or what the government needs to intervene,” she said.
Ajala said challenges requiring government intervention would be presented to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, while development partners would also be approached where necessary.
She explained that the skills component of the policy was intended to make graduates self-reliant and enable them to develop solutions to challenges within their communities.
Presenting a paper titled “Dual Mandate of Colleges of Education: Challenges, Opportunities and Expectations,” a former Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, Dr Ali Adamu, identified inadequate funding, shortage of qualified personnel and infrastructure deficits as major challenges facing the implementation of the policy.
Adamu said the policy had the potential to improve career progression, revitalise Colleges of Education, enhance teacher quality and promote human capital development.
He called for increased funding, improved infrastructure and continuous staff development to ensure the success of the initiative.
The Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, Dr Mohammed Abdulhamid, commended the Federal Government and the NCCE for their efforts to reposition teacher education in the country.