The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has called on the government and stakeholders in the South-East region of Nigeria to prioritize the training of high-quality teachers. This appeal was made by the Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Dr. Angela Ajala, during a meeting with provosts of Colleges of Education in the South-East, hosted by the Enugu State College of Education (Technical) in Enugu. The meeting aimed to enhance teacher quality, skills development, and digital learning.
Dr. Ajala noted that while some regions in Nigeria have over 30 Colleges of Education, the South-East region lags behind with just over 10. She emphasized that improving teacher quality is crucial for the region's educational development. The NCCE's engagement meeting was designed to address these issues and explore ways to implement the dual mandate of Colleges of Education effectively. This mandate involves producing competent teachers at both the NCE and degree levels.
During the meeting, Dr. Ajala stressed the importance of increased budgetary allocation to education, highlighting that recognition of a sector's importance leads to it being treated with respect. However, she also noted that increased funding for infrastructure would have limited impact without corresponding investment in teacher preparation. Dr. Ajala emphasized that a nation's educational quality is directly tied to the quality of its teachers, stating that without improving teacher quality, investments in infrastructure would be ineffective.
Dr. Ajala urged Colleges of Education to reposition teacher training to meet modern classroom demands, particularly with the introduction of artificial intelligence, mechatronics, digital technology, and practical skills. She emphasized that teachers cannot impart skills they do not possess themselves, stressing the need for teacher-training institutions to equip students with practical, entrepreneurial, and digital competencies. This approach would enable graduates to meet the demands of contemporary classrooms.
The NCCE boss also highlighted the renewed direction of teacher education, which would allow students to graduate with an NCE, degree, globally recognized skills certificate, and professional registration. This comprehensive training would provide graduates with opportunities both within and outside the teaching profession. Additionally, Dr. Ajala called for greater use of student loans to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent young Nigerians from accessing higher education.
Earlier, the Provost of Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Dr. Stella Ekwueme, welcomed the engagement, describing it as an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collaboration on teacher education development. Dr. Ekwueme noted that the contemporary classroom demands are rapidly changing, requiring Colleges of Education to equip teacher trainees with practical competencies, digital skills, professional ethics, and problem-solving abilities.
Dr. Ekwueme called for stronger partnerships among the NCCE, state governments, and Colleges of Education, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, staff development, curriculum implementation, technology, teaching resources, research, and academic programs. She expressed optimism that the engagement would produce practical outcomes, identify areas requiring intervention, and strengthen continuous communication between the NCCE and Colleges of Education in the South-East.
Key points
- The NCCE urges increased investment in teacher preparation to improve educational quality in the South-East region of Nigeria.
- The dual mandate of Colleges of Education involves producing competent teachers at both NCE and degree levels while adapting to the changing higher education environment.
- The NCCE recommends greater use of student loans to ensure access to higher education for young Nigerians.
