Reps, stakeholders laud establishment of additional educational institutions

Members of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders expressed overwhelming support on Thursday for proposed legislation regarding the establishment of new educational institutions across the country.

The stakeholders showed excitement during the public hearing on the bills, which seek to amend the existing National Teachers Institute’s Act and establish Federal Colleges of Education (FCE) in Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State; Fufore, Adamawa State; and Dukku, Gombe State.

The proposed institutions include FCE (Technical) Otan-Ayegbaju, FCE (Technical) Fufore, and FCE (Special) Dukku.

In his remarks, Hon. Akanni Clement Ademola, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of FCE (Technical) Otan-Ayegbaju, emphasized that “establishing more teachers’ training institutions is crucial for national development.

It is commonly said that ‘No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.’ Teachers play essential roles in the advancement of knowledge and the intellectual development of society.”

Hon. Ademola further explained that the FCE (Technical) in Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State, will serve dual purposes: producing teachers for vocational and technical education.

It will address the shortage of manpower in the teaching profession and train industry-ready graduates who will strengthen the nation’s production base.

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Hon. Aliyu Boya, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of FCE (Technical) Fufore, Adamawa State, stated that the institution holds “great promise for the advancement of education in our region and beyond.

The focus of our proposed legislation is to provide a platform for nurturing technical education in our community, thereby equipping our youth with the necessary skills for a prosperous future.

Through this bill, we aim to elevate the standards of teacher education and create opportunities for growth and development, not just for our constituency but for the entire nation.”

Hon. Abdullahi El-Rasheed, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of FCE (Special) Dukku, Gombe State, highlighted the aim to establish a higher learning institution offering courses for teachers with special needs and students with disabilities.

“Our gathering today clearly indicates the collective interest in supporting the comprehensive, holistic, and inclusive development of our educational system as a nation.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Colleges of Education (FCE), Hon. Adamu Lakoja, underscored the need for advancing teacher training and education in Nigeria.

He said, “It is noteworthy that the Federal Colleges of Education and the National Teachers Institute play an important role in training and equipping professional basic education teachers in Nigeria.

These institutions serve as pillars of excellence in teacher education, providing aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to mold the minds of Nigerian students.

The impact of quality teacher training cannot be overstated, as it directly influences the quality of education imparted to our students.”