…defends UTME scrapping for Colleges of Education
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Dr Angela Ajala, has raised concerns over a looming teacher shortage in Nigeria, warning that the country could run out of qualified teachers within the next six years if urgent measures are not taken to boost enrolment into teacher-training institutions.
This came as Ajala defended the recent decision to remove the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for admission into Colleges of Education (CoEs), insisting that the policy was based on evidence and projections rather than a lowering of academic standards.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Abuja, the NCCE boss said the declining enrolment and high attrition rates in Colleges of Education posed a serious threat to the future of the nation’s education system.
She said: “In some colleges, you find only about 30 students spread across 10 programmes. The attrition rate is alarming. If we do not act now, Nigeria may not have enough teachers in the near future.”
Ajala stressed that teacher education remains the foundation of national development, warning that neglecting the sector could have devastating consequences for the country.
“If you get it wrong with a teacher, just know that Nigeria is finished. Every engineer, doctor, scientist, entrepreneur, politician and leader passes through the hands of a teacher. Teacher education lies at the heart of national development.”
She challenged the long-standing perception that teaching was a profession of last resort, describing it as a harmful narrative that has weakened the education sector over the years.
According to her, teachers play a more critical role in shaping society than many people acknowledge.
“You can fix a faulty car. But when a teacher damages a child in the classroom, that damage can last a lifetime. Those children become the future professionals and leaders of society.”
Defending the scrapping of UTME as a prerequisite for admission into Colleges of Education, the NCCE boss argued that the examination should not be regarded as the sole determinant of a student’s academic potential.
“What is UTME? It is a two-hour examination. It is not an achievement test. Decisions like these were not taken arbitrarily; they were based on evidence, data and projections about the future of teacher education in Nigeria,” she explained.
According to her, the policy was part of broader efforts to attract more candidates into teacher education and avert a future shortage of qualified teachers.
Ajala further called for the restoration of the teaching profession’s dignity and social status, lamenting that teachers no longer enjoy the respect they once commanded in Nigerian communities.
“Something went wrong along the way. We moved from a society where teachers were highly respected to one where people say, ‘If you have nothing else to do, go and become a teacher.’ That narrative must change.”
Highlighting reforms being implemented by the Commission, Ajala said the introduction of the dual mandate for Colleges of Education would enable graduates to earn multiple qualifications, including the Nigeria Certificate in Education, a university degree and internationally recognised skills certifications.
“Who else offers that opportunity? Colleges of Education are becoming institutions where students can earn multiple qualifications and acquire international skills that make them globally competitive.”
She also disclosed that the Commission was reviewing curricula across Colleges of Education to align teacher training with global standards and emerging realities.
“People often cite Finland, Singapore and other countries as models. When you compare their curricula with ours, you will find that Nigeria is not far behind. What we need is proper implementation and a change in perception.”
Ajala urged education journalists to partner with the Commission in changing public perceptions about teaching and promoting ongoing reforms in the sector.
“You are not just reporters; you are reformers. What you report shapes public opinion, influences policy conversations and changes mindsets. We need responsible reporting that reflects the true importance of teacher education.”
Earlier, the Chairman of ECAN, Mr Chuks Ukwuatu, congratulated Ajala on her appointment as the first female Executive Secretary of the NCCE and pledged the association’s support for objective and constructive reporting of education policies and programmes.
He said the association remained committed to promoting national development through informed coverage of education issues and announced plans for its forthcoming Education Conference and Awards aimed at assessing the impact of reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector.
