FG, NASS Urged to Review Education Policy on Teachers

 

Some of the people, who spoke at the annual lecture of Uzuakoli Methodist College Old Boys Association (UMCOBA) in Enugu on Monday, said that such recruitment had adversely affected the education system.

Prof. Charles Diribe of the Ebonyi State University called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to formulate a policy on recruitment of teachers in the country.

Diribe said the government should emulate the American and Singapore education policy on teachers to ensure that qualified teachers were recruited into the system.

``We should have a system that will ensure that only certified teachers are allowed to teach in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.``

Prof Anezi Okoro, a renowned author, in a paper entitled ‘Fallen Standard of Education: The Role of Old School Associations’ expressed worry over the quality of graduates being produced in the country.

Okoro urged governments at all level to urgently look into the issue, pointing out that if nothing was done, the country’s education system would collapse.

``In the past, students were admitted on merit, but these days, parents go as far as buying admissions for their children and wards.

``This is sad and it is affecting the standard of education in the country.``

A former Chairman of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission and educationist, Igwe Abel Nwobodo, said that government should make it compulsory for teachers to live in the school premises.

Nwobodo, who is also a traditional ruler, said, ``as long as teachers and head teachers reside outside the school premises, there is no education.``

Mr Polycarp Egbo, a teacher at Community Secondary School, Nkerefi in Nkanu East Council Area of Enugu State, called for re-introduction of boarding schools in the country.

``It is in boarding schools that students are monitored and disciplined. It is also in boarding schools that talents in sports are discovered and children taught about farming.

``Government should go back to the 70s and 80s when education was valued.''

Dr Ogechi Ihekwaba of the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, said that government should discourage politicisation of students' admission and recruitment of teachers.

``We should stop this practise of sending list from government houses, National Assembly and politicians for admissions and employment.

``This gives room for employing illiterates and producing unintelligent graduates. These practices deny qualified students who do not have godfathers, from getting admission into tertiary institutions.''

The Vice Chairman of UMCOBA, Dr Julius Ezenyiroha, while commending the speakers, emphasised the need for old school associations to introduce awards of best students in different subjects as a way of encouraging the students.

Ezenyirioha said that Uzuakoli Methodist College, established in 1923, was one of the oldest schools that had produced many professors and leaders in the country.