How Govt. Can Make Tech Education Attractive – FCET Provost

Provost of Federal College of Education Technical (FCET), Akoka, Lagos, Dr. Wahab Azeez.

He also said members of the public should be sensitised on the importance of technical education.

Wahab stated that funding of technical education was huge, adding that government lacks the financial power to fund it alone, therefore, it is imperative for government to collaborate with private individuals to make technical education attractive. 

Speaking at a news conference last week on campus, the provost noted that for technical education to be effective, modern equipment were required for training students.

He said: “Education is a social service all over the world. Thus, we need public institutions so that everyone can have access to qualitative education. Public institutions are essential, likewise private. It should be a mix of public and private.

The provost urged government to increase funding for technical education, adding that it was collaborating with foreign companies to train its students.

“Members of the public should know about technical education. We are discussing with companies in China for training for our students. We also intentionally established the Centre for Technical Education (CEFTED) so that anywhere in the world, people  will know about  the college programmes.

“We also invite experts to train our students. Recently, we invited a Professor from Texas to give a lecture on technical education. Fortunately, our students are also taking CEFTED courses seriously and they make extra money on their own,” he said.

The provost, who noted that the institution had experienced infrastructural upgrade, complained of being understaffed. According to him, Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, was making it difficult to independently employ staff unless the Head of Service gives approval.

He, however, urged government to grant autonomy to institutions and let them develop their own payment platform.

Wahab said with the rich and robust curriculum being utilised by the college, more facilities were required to train staff for excellent service delivery.