Abuja – Prof. Bappa Aliyu , the new Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), has pledged to enhance teachers’ capacity and develop facilities in the country.
Aliyu, while formally taking over from Prof. Monday Joshua on Thursday in Abuja, said he would work with the commission’s directors and the entire staff to achieve his goals.
“I have a team comprising of directors, deputies and assistants who are in the field and are well grounded on the issues that needed to be addressed.
“I am going to work with them, also using my experience of 35 years as a teacher, to achieve my goals as the new ES.
“Our guideline will be the core mandate of NCCE and integration of the Change mantra, ’’ Aliyu said.
He said he was ready to ensure quality teacher education, which he defined as the production of quality teachers and the regulation of minimum standard set for teacher development.
“This will be in terms of facilities which will boost teaching and learning processes,’’ the new ES said.
He commended the outgoing ES for a comprehensive and clear presentation of his hand-over documents, adding that his expertise would be required in the progress of the commission.
Earlier, the outgoing Executive Secretary, while handing over, had commended the directors and staff of the commission for their cooperation and hard work during his tenure.
He said they should all continue to be guided by the slogan “Quality Teacher, Pride of a nation’’, which was coined to emphasise the importance placed on teacher development.
Joshua listed the accreditation of Colleges of Education and verification of private colleges’ status, and training of staff in quality assurance, as part of his major achievements.
He however said lack of adequate funding was a major constraint to proper training of teachers.
“I pray God to give Aliyu the wisdom and strength to take the commission to greater heights,’’ the outgoing ES said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Aliyu was appointed Executive Secretary of the Commission on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aliyu is a Professor of Technology in Education from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi.(NAN)