The Federal Government has formally launched the implementation phase of a landmark reform allowing Colleges of Education across the country to independently run both the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes without university affiliation.

Speaking at the National Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described the initiative as ?a historic milestone in Nigeria?s educational development.?

?For the first time in our history, our Colleges of Education have been legally empowered to run NCE and degree programmes concurrently in teacher education disciplines,? she said, citing the Federal Colleges of Education (Establishment) Act No. 43 of 2023.

The minister explained that the reform builds on decades of experience and competence demonstrated by the institutions.

?The dual-mandate system now grants them full legislative and operational authority to expand their academic offerings while preserving their core mission of producing highly skilled and professional teachers,? she added.

Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), described the reform as ?historic,? noting that it would revitalise teacher education and expand access for student-teachers.

?For decades, Colleges of Education partnered with universities to offer degrees. Today, with full legislative backing, they now have the autonomy to do so directly, leveraging their own manpower, infrastructure, and academic expertise,? he said.

He highlighted the benefits of the dual mandate, including the production of graduates with both NCE and B.Ed qualifications, a steady supply of qualified teachers, and the retention of skilled educators within the system.

Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Colleges of Education, Hon. Adamu Tanko, assured stakeholders that ?the value of the degree awarded by the Colleges of Education will be equivalent to those conferred by conventional universities across the country.?

The Ministry of Education pledged continued support through policy guidelines, technical assistance, and resource mobilisation to ensure successful implementation.

Traditionally, Colleges of Education in Nigeria were restricted to offering only NCE programmes and had to collaborate with universities to award degrees. (Daily Trust)

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