…Says it will stem the yearly decrease in new entrants
The Provost of FCE, Abeokuta, left, congratulating Oba Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom after his investiture as a fellow of the college at its Convocation earlier in the week.
The Acting Chairman of the Committee of Federal Provosts and the Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Abeokuta, Dr. Rafiu Adekola Soyele has again averred his support for the adoption of Dual-Mode System in the nation’s colleges of education.
Speaking at the 25th Convocation Ceremony of his college, FCE, Abeokuta held in the week, Dr. Soyele pleaded that the Dual-Mode System which had been signed and gazetted into law by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu should be allowed to see the light of the day.
Dr. Soyele explained that the submission of the Committee of Federal Provosts to the Executive Secretary of National Commission For Colleges Of Education (NCCE) was that the Dual-Mode should be a five year program wherein students come in for two years rigorous academic work that captures the NCE curriculum.
He explained further that the two years which will lead to acquisition of NCE certificate will then be followed by one year teaching practice exercise with attendant financial allowance, after which the students will again return for another two years for the degree program.
The chairman of the Committee of Federal Provosts posited that if the system is adopted, it will stem the yearly decrease in the population of students expressing interest in acquiring the Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE).
The provost explained that the issue of dwindling interest in the colleges of education is a germane challenge facing these institutions of learning, noting disquietingly that some colleges now have as low as 300 students while some have even 150 only as new students.
Dr. Soyele insisted that: “The fact is that the NCE program and the obtainable certificate are no longer popular and attractive after graduation. It is in the light of this that College Of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) National Executive Committee and the Committee of Provosts believe in the review of the College of Education structure to the Dual-Mode system.
To the graduating students, the Provost admonished them that ” today marks a significant step in your lives,” and enjoined them to always remember the privilege of the education that they have received and the responsibility that comes with it.
He implored the graduands to use their knowledge not just for personal gains “but to uplift humanity and effect positive change in your communities and beyond.
In his own speech at the convocation, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission For Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle also congratulated the graduands and enjoined them to uphold the virtues of hard work, purpose and passion, humility, kindness and God fearing.
He implored them to keep hope alive and not to forget that this is a ” stepping stone to higher and greater opportunities for actualising your goals in life”.
At the Combined Convocation Ceremony, the college graduated a total of 6,444 graduands spread across its five schools from four sets, spanning 2018 to 2021, out of which 13 passed with distinctions and 11 with credits.
It also awarded the college highest honour, tagged Fellowship Award which was instituted in 1995 to four outstanding personalities for their contributions to the education industry and humanity in general.
The recipients include HRH Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola (Otileta VII), Yeye Aremo Temitope Adeola, Dr. Gideon Chidiebere Osj and Dr. Ayodele Adebayo Ajayi mni.
