The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, on Saturday said the Federal Government would work out modalities for the training and re-training of teachers in the country.
Shekarau spoke at the 22nd convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo.
“Government is worried by the poor results recorded in the last Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted by the West Africa Examination Council.
“To ramify this situation, government has taken steps to improve on the capability of the quality of teaching and facilities available in our secondary schools.
“In addition, government is working out modalities for the regular training and re-training of teachers through various short-term courses, workshops and seminars,’’ he said.
Shekarau said the government was very particular about the development of vocational and technology education and believed that strengthening them would reduce the high rate of unemployment and create wealth.
“It is for this reason that government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), provides financial support for the development of tertiary institutions.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that our educational system has its peculiar challenges, especially in the area of funding, where it competes with other sectors of the economy for allocation of financial resources.
“Nevertheless, the challenges have not been allowed to overwhelm us.
“This is clear evidence in the prudent manner with which available resources have been deployed for optimum results,’’ he said.
The Minister urged managers of higher institutions to ensure available resources are deployed for maximum benefit and result.
He commended the rector of the polytechnic for its infrastructure development, done with the view to widening access to education in line with the ministry’s six point strategic plans.
“The Auchi Polytechnic has shown good example in this regard, which is commendable.
“The achievement recorded by the polytechnic in the last 50 years calls for celebration.
“And it is at the backdrop of this that I recognise and acknowledge the great and positive development of the institution, especially as they fall in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr President,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Rector, Dr Philipa Idogho said that the institution graduated students 3,748 with Higher National Diploma and 4,987 with National Diploma.
Idogho urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution wherever they find themselves.
“I urge you to remember always that you have this polytechnic as your ambassador.
“Those who graduated before you held afloat the worthy banner of this school. You can do no less,’’ she said. NAN
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