From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has implored the National Assembly to prioritise funding for the effective take-off of already established tertiary institutions rather than enacting legislations for new ones.
Alausa stated this, yesterday, in a memorandum presented at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education on three bills seeking the establishment of new tertiary institutions.
The proposed legislations are bills for the establishment of the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State (HB.1797), and two bills seeking to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act.
The Minister, who was represented at the hearing by the Director, Polytechnic Education and Allied Institutions, Ejeh Usman, said owing to paucity of funds the focus should be strengthening existing tertiary institutions.
He said this would be more beneficial in delivering quality education rather than spreading inadequate resources thin by creating new tertiary institutions.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has expanded avenues for establishing private tertiary institutions. States and individuals are encouraged to utilise these channels to support national educational development.”
Usman Balami, sponsor of the bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Borno State cited unemployment as one of the reasons for the proposed institution.
According to him, the proposed college, if established, would equip unemployed youths with skills necessary for self-reliance and economic empowerment.
“This institution will provide diverse training programmes tailored for today’s dynamic job market.It will bridge the gap between theory and practice, producing graduates ready to meet workforce demands,” he said.
Chairman of the committee, Fuad Laguda, in his remarks, said there is a consensus that skills acquisition is critical to tackling unemployment.
“With the passage of these bills, Nigerians will have greater access to knowledge and skills in the arts, sciences, technology, humanities, and vocational and technical education,” Laguda said.