Governing Councils want Education Colleges Upgraded to Varsities

The Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Colleges of Education has demanded that the Federal Government should upgrade some Colleges of Education in the country, which have adequate staff strength and infrastructure, to universities.

The committee also congratulated the President-elect Mohammadu Buhari on his victory at the recently-concluded general election, praying that God should give him the inspiration to administer Nigeria.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, stated this demand in a communique issued on Tuesday after an emergency meeting held at Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri.

The committee also frowned on the alleged encroachment on the property of some Federal Colleges of Education in Akoka, Lagos and Owerri, Imo State by other government agencies.

It expressed displeasure with the continuous embargo on recruitment of staff especially in core areas such as Physics, Chemistry, Science and Special Education.

The committee lauded the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for its efforts in improving on and facilitating the progress of education sector through various agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

Anosike said, “The committee recommended for serious consideration the upgrading of some Colleges of Education, which have adequate staff strength and infrastructure, to Universities of Education.”

He said, “The Federal Government should lift the ban or embargo on recruitment of staff especially in core areas such as in Physics, Chemistry, Science and Special Education. The Committee expressed worry on the encroachment on the property of some Colleges of Education such as Federal Colleges of Education, Akoka and Owerri respectively, by other government agencies.”

The government, he suggested, should pay more attention to the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo in Oyo State “because of its special status.”

“But we are displeased with the non-release or poor capital projects in the colleges, which negates the vision of the founding fathers of these institutions,” he added.