FG, Bans Polytechnics from running post HND, PGD programmes

 The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, has warned polytechnics undertaking the post-graduate diploma programmes to stop, saying it is not part of their mandate.
Rufa’i gave the warning on Monday in Abuja at the inauguration of the governing councils for the National Teachers Institute, National Educational Research Development Council, 15 federal polytechnics and 19 federal colleges of education.
She directed that henceforth, no polytechnic convocation would hold without issuance of certificates to graduating students.
The minister also ordered that the provosts and registrars of colleges of education must sign NCE certificates as obtained in polytechnics and universities.
“The provosts and registrars of colleges of education should sign NCE certificates as obtained in polytechnics and universities.
“Issuance of certificates to graduating students is a prerequisite for approval for holding convocations; thus no certificate, no convocation,” she directed.
While addressing the inaugurated council members, Rufai urged them to encourage responsive and responsible unionism in their respective institutions and arrest problems of cultism, drug abuse and other social vices among students.
“Governing councils have a strategic role to play in facilitating the required transformation of the tertiary education sector in order to actualise the desire of government to provide easy access without compromising standards and quality.
“The composition of these governing councils is apt and places high demands on you to work assiduously to realise these goals,’’ she said.
Rufa’i said that effective strategies should also be developed for early detection and eradication of all forms of vices such as examination malpractice, sexual harassment, extortion, inducement, loss of examination scripts and results.
She advised the councils not to be lured into turning the prestigious fellowship awards to chieftaincy title affairs.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Chairman, Governing Council of College of Technology, Yaba, pledged to use their appointments to contribute to the development of the education sector.
He thanked the Federal Government for the privilege to serve the country. (NAN)