It will be costly scrapping Colleges of Education – Soyele appeals to FG

The Provost, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Rafiu Soyele has appealed to the federal government not to accede to call from some quarters that Colleges of Education should be scrapped.

Dr. Soyele, who made the call during a press conference, put together as part of activities to mark the 25th combined Convocations and 48th Founding Day anniversary of the College, said rather than scrapping Colleges of Education, it should be allowed to run ‘dual mode’ system.

According to Dr. Soyele, if the Colleges of Education were scrapped, the right methodologies of teaching would be scrapped, saying that this will have negative effect on the nation’s education system.

Explaining what he meant by ‘dual mode’ system, the Provost said, “all students admitted by Colleges of Education, will have two years of NCE programme, one year of compulsory teaching practice, during which they would be paid by government and compulsorily go back for another two years after which they will obtain degree in education”.

He said, “the dual mode system will make the graduates have more knowledge about teaching. It will also help government to have more man power in schools and as well ensure standardization and professionalized our education system”.

Highlighting other activities lined up for the two-in-one ceremony, Dr. Soyele, said there would be
health awareness programme on Tuesday, to be followed by musical presentation and Convocation play as well as a novelty match.

“On Wednesday, there will be exhibition by Schools, Directorates and Departments and commissioning of projects. Some of the projects to be commissioned included; four internal roads, Radio FCE and an office complex.

“On the same day, the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission and Professor of Public Policy, Lead City University, Tunji Olaopa will be delivering the Convocation lecture with the topic, “Dual-Mode Programme in Colleges of Education as Catalyst for Advancing Teacher Education in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities”.

“Four distinguished Nigerians will be conferred with the Fellowship awards of the institution. They include; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, Yeye Temitope Adeola, Dr. Gideon Osiedebere and the immediate past Provost of the institution, Dr. Ayodele Ajayi.

Giving details of the graduands, Dr. Soyele said, a total of 6,444 graduates made up of 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sets will bag National Certification in Education during the combined convocation.

He added that 13 of them graduated with distinction, eleven with Credit, while others graduated with merit.