Ex-VC seeks stiffer penalty for corrupt lecturers, others

The immediate past vice chancellor of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTE’CH), Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, has sought tough punishment for lecturers demanding money for marks.

He made the call while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after delivering a lecture at the combined convocation of the Cross River College of Education (COE), Akamkpa.

Enoh, who said the practice discourages reading culture, urged managers of institutions of higher learning to take drastic measures to end the ugly trend.

The ex-VC, who spoke on “Quality Assurance and Architecture of Educational Excellence”, noted that unless something was done to change the narrative, generations unborn would have nothing to learn.

“Why are we unconsciously converting our fine libraries and laboratories to mere ornaments, examinations to mere formalities, project writing to mere rituals, lecture attendance to a matter of choice and above all, the certificate we offer to a mere piece of paper without substance?” he queried.

On leadership integrity and quality assurance in education, Enoh asserted that three key variables were germane to the appointment of a leader, naming them to include intelligence, hardwork and integrity.

He, nonetheless, stressed that integrity stands tall among the treble.

“Anyone who sorted, altered students’ scores, tied examination scores to purchase of his textbooks or handouts and rarely lectured students and doctored continuous assessment scores, is unfit for appointment as a provost, rector, vice chancellor or principal of a school,” he maintained

Enoh stressed that unless the nation’s educational system is overhauled, Nigeria would remain economically unviable.

“Quality assurance must be strengthened in all higher institutions to ensure qualitative education,” he stated.