The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has kicked against the Federal Government’s plan to exempt prospective candidates of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), warning that the policy could weaken standards in teacher training.
NUT National President, Audu Amba, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a teacher sensitisation workshop organised by 21st Century in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
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Amba raised concerns about what he described as a continuous decline in the quality of applicants seeking admission into colleges of education, noting that many high-performing students now prefer universities, leaving education colleges as a secondary option.
He cautioned that the trend could negatively affect the quality of teachers produced in the country, insisting that admission into the teaching profession should attract the best academic talents.
According to him, colleges of education should not serve as alternative institutions for candidates who fail to gain university admission.
“Why can’t we say that anyone going to College of Education to become a teacher must be among the top scorers in UTME?” he asked.
“Colleges of Education are meant to admit strong candidates, but unfortunately, many people only go there after failing to secure university admission,” he added.
In her keynote speech, the Registrar of TRCN, Dr Ronke Soyombo, emphasised the urgent need to reposition teachers for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy.
She said the future of education in Nigeria depends on educators who are digitally skilled, innovative, professionally trained, and capable of preparing learners for modern challenges.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr Iyabo Ali, also called for continuous training and development for teachers, stressing that educators must constantly improve their digital and innovative competencies to meet global standards.
Other stakeholders at the event, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas (represented by Dr Mary Aba), and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, also emphasised stronger collaboration and greater professionalism in the education sector.
Senator Moro, however, expressed concern over the worsening state of education in Nigeria, warning that more than 70 percent of schools lack adequate teaching and learning facilities.
He cautioned that the widening gap between teachers and their working environment could seriously undermine the country’s education system and long-term development.
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