The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) has called for the mainstreaming of staff of demonstration schools as requirement for graduating students of primary Education studies (PES) and Early Childhood care education (ECCE).
The President of the union, Mr Danladi Msheliza, disclosed this at a meeting with the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in Abuja, on Friday over lingering and “disturbing” issues affecting members of the Colleges of Education sector.
Msheliza said that doing this was a requirement for graduating students of primary Education Studies (PES) and Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE).
The president called for the reconstitution of the Governing Councils of Colleges of Education as well as pushed for quick passage of the Colleges of Education Amendment Act, which have passed through 3rd reading in the National Assembly.
” I want to bring to your attention a document that emanated from your office dated Dec. 29, 2021 to the Chairman of Salaries and Wages Commission.
“ It is in response to our letter that was written to you because we wrote to you that demonstration schools should not be seen as private entities.
“But when salaries and wages commission wrote to your office to give clarification on the status of possession of schools in colleges of education and the need to be mainstreamed.
“In your response to them signed by the permanent secretary you stated the ministry had carefully examined our document.
“And that the 2021 edition of the NCE on minimum standards for Early Child Care and Primary Education Studies should be established in demonstration schools.
“But if the institutions are not able to do so, it should adopt school community of their reach, which is also against the content of this document,” he said.
He, therefore, clarified that there was no 2021 edition of the minimum standards but only had 2020 edition. saying the minimum standards had clearly stated that demonstration schools shall be established within the vicinity of colleges.
He called on the minister to also give more prominence to issues of colleges of education.
Speaking on the revitalisation fund of the colleges, the president called on the minister to resume the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 FGN/SSUCOEN Agreement.
He added that there was also the need for the Federal Government to release the approved revitalisation fund of N15 billion to colleges arising from the NEED Assessment exercise.
Responding, the minister promised to look into the gray areas that the union had brought before him.
On the banning of staff demonstration schools, Adamu said that the ministry would look at the letter and amend necessary areas appropriately.
The minister also pledged his commitment toward ensuring that the colleges get the revitalisation fund as this would help to solve the social problems in our colleges.
He, therefore, threatened to withdraw licences of Universities, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and other tertiary institutions operating below prescribed standards by law.
The Minister promised that necessary steps would be taken to ensure the release of the N15 billion revitalisation fund to Colleges (NAN)
