FG says colleges of education will begin awarding degrees in September

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, says a dual mandate allowing colleges of education (COEs) to award both bachelor’s degrees and the National Certificate in Education (NCE) is for implementation this September.

In 2023, the mandate was signed into law, having undergone ideation with numerous committees recommending its adoption.

It was to take effect from the 2024/2025 academic session (starting September 2024), where only federal COEs aged at least 10 years were to pilot the programme.

Alausa spoke in Abuja during a follow-up meeting on resolutions from the last biannual stakeholders meeting.

He said the implementation of the dual mandate will now begin in September 2025.

The education minister said it would boost enrolment in COEs and eliminate the need to convert COEs to universities.

Alausa said reforms within COEs are important for adapting to modern demands and technological advancements.

He urged educators to integrate technology, critical thinking, and computational skills into their curricula.

“We once had a strong educational system, and that’s what we are working hard to restore. All hands are on deck to achieve this,” he said.

“We must tackle the high number of out-of-school children and reduce learning poverty across the country. As teachers, you are at the centre of driving this change, and you must also challenge yourselves.

“The way we taught 30 or 50 years ago is no longer relevant. Education and teaching methods are evolving. You must start thinking about how to use technology in the classroom.”

Alausa stressed the need for educators to harness educational technology and artificial intelligence to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Addressing declining enrolment in colleges of education, he urged administrators and staff to support the ongoing reforms, warning that the survival of their institutions depends on their ability to adapt.

“With this dual mandate, there is no need for conversion to university status. You should be the ones pushing for implementation, not the other way around. It’s a matter of your survival,” he said.

“The government has secured the future of colleges of education. It is now up to you to sustain them. Failure to embrace this mandate could lead to extinction.

“With this reform, there’s no justification for any college of education to seek university status.”

Kano governor gives secondary students 10,000 free JAMB forms

The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated the distribution of 10,000 free JAMB forms to Kano secondary school students.

During the flag-off of the distribution, the Governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner of Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, also used the opportunity to inaugurate the training of the 10,000 beneficiaries on the use of computer-based tests at various designated centers across Kano State.

On his part, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Education, Alhaji Tajuddin Gambo, said the Governor has promised to provide transport for the beneficiaries throughout the training session and urged them to ensure they pass the examination.

He said the government is willing to select the best schools for the beneficiaries if they pass the examinations.

One of the beneficiaries of the 10,000 free JAMB forms, Fatima Mukhtar Umar, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for issuing the free JAMB forms and promised not to disappoint.

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In a statement by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, it was noted that the Governor used the opportunity to elaborate on the feats achieved by his government in developing the education sector in the last 22 months. These include the re-introduction of foreign and domestic scholarships, re-opening of 21 skills acquisition institutes, general renovation of primary and secondary schools, construction of new classrooms, provision of classroom furniture and writing materials, and the distribution of free uniforms to primary school pupils.

Other achievements, according to the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, include the reduction of 50% of registration fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, cash conditional transfers to support girl-child education, and the settlement of registration fees for NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS, to mention but a few.

Ibrahim Adam said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf urged all the beneficiary students to make the best use of the opportunity and strive for excellence in their academic pursuits, saying that the future belongs to those who work tirelessly to turn dreams into realities.

Kano governor gives secondary students 10,000 free JAMB forms

WAEC unveils portal for past WASSCE questions

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has announced four significant innovations for the upcoming 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE. One of such is a portal to access past questions.