By Our Reporter on April 25, 2014 · National
The Federal Government has assured that the 11 months old strike of polytechnics and colleges of education lecturers would soon be called off, just as it also stated that it had set up a committee to look into the issue of polytechnic and university graduates dichotomy, which was part of the requests of the striking lecturers.
The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, made the disclosure in Kaduna yesterday, while addressing the governing councils of federal polytechnics and federal colleges of education during a retreat organised for them by the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the minister: “Just last week, Secretary to the Government of the Federation met with the union leaders and I can assure you that the Federal Government is committed to the issue of education, as education is central to the transformation agenda of Mr. President.
“A committee has been set up to look into the issue of polytechnic and university graduates dichotomy. So, I am joining other Nigerians to call on the lecturers to call off the strike and allow our children go back to school.”
However, the Supervising Minister of Education charged both the polytechnics and colleges of education governing councils to utilise funds meant for their respective institutions judiciously and ensure value for money.
He also warned them to avoid unnecessary rift between them and the schools management, stressing that the Federal Government would not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions if such case arises.
Declaring the retreat open, the Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero noted that, technical and vocational education were key to technological advancement of any nation.
The Governor represented by his Deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga therefore urged the retreat participants to explore more avenues to consolidate on the successes recorded by the President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.
Earlier in their respective goodwill messages, the Chairmen of the Governing Boards of NBTE and NCCE, Professor Lazarus Ekweme and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife appealed to the both Federal Government and the tertiary institutions’ unions to reach agreement and call off the strike.
Dr. Ezeife said the standard of education in the country does not make Nigerians proud, while Prof. Ekwueme said Nigeria cannot meet the vision 20:2020 if the polytechnic education is in a bad shape.
Meanwhile, several papers are expected to be delivered during the two-day retreat ending today.
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