FG set to reposition unity colleges for optimal performance

Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has announced plans by the Federal Government to reposition the 110 unity colleges across the country for optimum performance.

Nwajiuba, who stated this while declaring open the 2021 annual general meeting of Principals of Unity Colleges in Gombe, said the Federal Government is determined to bring back quality and standard to the colleges.

In his opening speech titled: “Repositioning federal unity colleges” the minister said President Muhammadu Buhari has set the ball rolling through a bumper welfare package for teachers, which he approved last year.

The package, the minister said, include, extension of length of service, new salary structure, automatic employment to deserving graduates, a new housing programme and pension scheme among others.

Nwajiuba said government is committed to restoring the past glory of the colleges through adequate funding, strict supervision and re-evaluation of the entire system.

Sounding a note of caution, the minister said government would not spare any officer found wanting under the new dispensation, as such officers would be shown the way out of service, adding that change has come into the education sector for good.

Nwajiuba also stressed the need for training and retraining to prepare teachers for the unfolding dispensation, which is fast ushering in new developments that will contribute to the evolution of a strong and sovereign nation.

Gombe State deputy governor, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jato, told the gathering that the present administration at inception, declared a state of emergency in the state’s education sector.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, said the meeting is an avenue to address issues of crucial importance to the growth and development of quality education in federal unity colleges.

Echono said with quality education, deviant behaviours caused by complex interactions can be effectively tackled.