15th August 2024
The Bauchi State Government recently took decisive action by closing down 39 private colleges of education operating within the state due to their failure to meet registration requirements. The announcement came from the state’s Commissioner for Higher Education, Mrs. Lydia Tsammani, during a press briefing held in Bauchi on Thursday.
According to Tsammani, these institutions were found to be operating without the necessary approval from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and lacked the basic infrastructure expected of educational establishments. This situation, she explained, had forced the state government to intervene in order to maintain the standard of education in Bauchi.
“A total of 39 colleges were found to be without anything. They are operating in primary schools, and when the school closes, the NCE (National Certificate in Education) programs begin, often with primary and secondary school teachers serving as lecturers,” Tsammani disclosed. This unorthodox and problematic arrangement further highlighted the colleges’ lack of resources and proper staffing, undermining their credibility as higher education institutions.
She added that these unregistered colleges were, in some cases, borrowing teachers because they had no qualified academic staff of their own. The colleges’ operations were therefore unsustainable, making them incapable of providing quality education or meeting the standards required by the NCCE. Consequently, the government had no choice but to shut them down.
This development is part of a broader initiative by the Bauchi State Government to regulate private colleges of education and ensure they adhere to national standards. The ministry had previously issued a notice to the unregistered institutions, giving them six months to complete their registration and put in place the necessary structures. Those that failed to comply within the given timeframe were to face sanctions, which included the closure of their operations.
Tsammani further clarified that the ministry was not opposed to the existence of private colleges of education. However, she stressed that the state government would not tolerate institutions that failed to meet the required standards. She pointed out that 12 colleges operating with the approval of the NCCE were allowed to continue their operations. However, these colleges were also given specific conditions that they must meet to retain their status. They must engage qualified staff, pay their registration fees to the ministry, and ensure that they admit only eligible candidates into their programs.
“The goal is to ensure that only competent and well-structured colleges are allowed to operate in the state,” Tsammani stated. She went on to express concern about some of the unregistered institutions’ focus on collecting tuition fees rather than delivering quality education. She warned that this profit-driven approach was detrimental to the future of students and the overall quality of education in Bauchi.
Tsammani also underscored the importance of continuous improvement and modernization of facilities. She noted that some of the existing colleges still relied on outdated equipment, such as analogue typewriters, despite the fact that the world has moved on to digital systems. This lack of modernization, she argued, was another indicator of the institutions’ inability to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s world.
In light of these issues, the Bauchi State Government remains committed to raising the standard of education within the state. Tsammani emphasized that the government would continue to monitor colleges to ensure compliance with the necessary regulations. The ultimate aim is to ensure that all educational institutions in the state operate in line with national standards and produce graduates who are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.
The closure of these unregistered colleges marks a significant step in the state’s effort to reform its educational sector. It sends a clear message that only institutions that are willing to meet the necessary requirements and deliver quality education will be allowed to operate. Tsammani assured that the state government would support institutions that are making genuine efforts to comply with the NCCE’s standards, but those that fail to do so will not be permitted to continue.
In conclusion, the Bauchi State Government’s decision to close down the 39 unregistered colleges of education reflects its determination to safeguard the quality of higher education in the state. Through stricter regulations and monitoring, the state aims to create a more conducive environment for learning, ensuring that only credible institutions are allowed to shape the future of its students.