After the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023 was passed, the Federal Government of Nigeria formally implemented the Dual Mandate Policy throughout all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) on Friday.
According to information obtained by Naija News, the historic law, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law, gives FCOEs the authority to provide both bachelor’s degrees in education and the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). In the continuous improvement of Nigeria’s teacher education system, this policy represents a significant advancement. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, praised the proposal as a daring and revolutionary step for the country’s educational system as he announced the policy’s implementation in Abuja.
According to Dr. Alausa, “the Dual Mandate Policy is not just a reform but a revolution in teacher preparation. It empowers institutions, expands access, and improves the quality of classroom instruction throughout Nigeria by allowing FCOEs to offer both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees.”
A greater variety of educational institutions can now take part thanks to the new policy, which allows all FCOEs that satisfy the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) requirements to provide dual credentials.
The policy increases access to higher education, particularly for students pursuing education degrees outside of the conventional university system, by doing away with the requirement for university connections in order to award degrees.
The Minister further explained that by offering both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees, the policy addresses the challenges of declining enrollment, ensures the relevance of FCOEs, and strengthens the institutions’ roles in educating future teachers.
The Dual Mandate Policy also provides FCOEs with greater autonomy in developing and implementing curricula. This flexibility will enable institutions to respond more quickly to the evolving needs and trends in the teaching profession.
Alausa emphasized the far-reaching effects of the policy on the quality of education, stating, “No nation can rise above the quality of its teachers. This policy strengthens the foundation of our education system, ensuring that every teacher is well-trained, qualified, and prepared.”
The implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy signifies a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest to enhance the quality of education and address critical issues in the education sector.
About The Author
