The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to grant admission exemptions to candidates seeking entry into colleges of education, warning that the move could affect the quality of teacher training in Nigeria.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, COEASU National President, Lawal Bazza, said the union was excluded from discussions leading to the policy, stressing that major reforms in teacher education should involve relevant stakeholders.
According to him, although increasing enrollment in colleges of education is important, such policies must not compromise standards in the education sector. Bazza stated that government should adopt a “bottom-to-top” approach by consulting unions and other stakeholders before implementing sensitive education policies.
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He disclosed that the union would hold an emergency National Officers’ Council meeting alongside former leaders to deliberate on the matter and announce its official position. The COEASU president noted that teacher education remains critical to national development, warning that lowering admission requirements without proper consultation could have long-term consequences for the country’s education system.
He also reaffirmed the union’s support for ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening colleges of education, particularly the implementation of the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023, which retains the Nigeria Certificate in Education as the minimum teaching qualification.
Bazza further revealed that the union recently concluded a renegotiation agreement with the Federal Government after about 16 years since the last pact was signed in 2010. He, however, raised concerns over poor salary structures in several state-owned colleges of education, warning that inadequate welfare for lecturers could trigger industrial unrest across institutions.
