FG tasks poly governing councils on vocational training

THE Federal Government has tasked the governing councils of polytechnics in the country to lay more emphasis on vocational training so as to make the students self-reliant.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, gave the  charge when he received in audience chairmen and governing councils of federal polytechnics  in Abuja, ahead of the expiration of the four-year tenure of the councils.

The minister expressed appreciation to members of the various councils for contributing their quota to the development of the education sector.

He commended them for the huge strides they have made in the course of carrying out their duties, especially in the area of ensuring and maintaining industrial harmony in the polythenics.

The Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polythenics, Mohammed Abubakar, who led his colleagues to the ministry for what appears to be a valedictory working visit to the minister to render the scorecard of the body and that of individual institutions under their watch, said that since the current councils came on board, the chairmen have paid close attention to developments in their polythenics while ensuring harmonious relationship between management and staff.

He said in an effort to improve the revenue generating capacity of their institutions, members of councils have spearheaded efforts to convert their consultancy units to limited liability companies rather than wait on the industrial sector to commercialise their researches.

He also revealed that through the efforts of the committee, funding of federal polythenics had improved, leading to better standard of living for staff and students.

The chairman added that in agreement with the policies of the present administration, the committee had always ensured that members complied with the stipulations of the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy, (NEEDS) assessment policy of government.

In line with its mandate of revitalizing polythenics in the country, he said the governing councils were working closely with the committee of federal rectors to foster better understanding between councils and management in the nation’s Federal polythenics.

He expressed the councils’ excitement at the opportunity to contribute to industrial harmony by participating in various negotiations, which had led to the resolution of disputes in these institutions.

The tenure of the present governing councils would end in May 2020.