A Fellow of the National Teachers Institute, Sylvester Onoja, has stated that “it is abnormal to appoint an accountant to head Colleges of Education.” Instead, he insisted that only trained and qualified teachers should be the ones to head them.
Onoja was reacting to the recent Governor Ahmed Ododo’s appointment of an accountant, Dr Fashagba Paul Femi, of the Department of Accounting, Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, as Provost, College of Education, Ankpa, Kogi State.
Onoja, who is a member of the Nigerian Academy of Education, in his letter to the governor, noted: “It is an incontrovertible fact that Colleges of Education are special institutions with a specific mandate to produce high-quality teachers to teach at the most critical formative rungs of the education ladder.”
He continued: “Kogi State can only make the best of the advantages that come with owning two of the country’s earliest and most renowned advanced teacher training institutions if professionally trained teachers are appointed to head the administration of Advanced Teachers’ Colleges, also known as Colleges of Education, in the state.”
“For one, professionally trained teachers possess a deep understanding of teaching and learning principles that enable them to make informed decisions about curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
“They can also develop and implement relevant, effective programmes that meet the needs of modern education. This complements the instructional leadership and management skills that they possess and exhibit while providing guidance and support to faculty members, ensuring that instructional practices align with best practices.”
The Emeritus Principal, King’s College, Lagos pointed out that trained teachers possess the requisite leadership and management skills to effectively administer the college, incorporating critical areas like budgeting, personnel management, and strategic planning.
He, therefore, submitted that for the advancement of educational courses, teachers can navigate the accreditation process, ensuring that the college meets the necessary standards.
