From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The Provost of Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe, Anambra, Dr (Mrs) Ego Uzoezie has promised to make the institution world class.
Mrs Uzoezie who was a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Anambra State under former governor Peter Obi told Oriental News that she was desirous to upgrade the college, which is one of the oldest colleges of education in the South-East zone.
The college was founded 39 years ago as Teacher Training College and later metamorphosed into a College of Education in 1981 under the administration of the first civilian governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo.
The provost also disclosed that the institution is running a Degree Programmes in Education in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
She also noted that Governor Willie Obiano is working hard to ensure that the college would be upgraded to a University College of Education.
Mrs Uzoezie said the school was undergoing reaccreditation of 23 degree courses and 25 NCE courses. Excerpts:
What is your vision for the college?
Vision by definition is not having a road map, vision is the reason for having a map. A vision based framework encapsulates the fundamental philosophy of the existence of an institution like Nwafor Orizu College of Education, the core values, the vision statements, the mission statements, the objectives and the strategies. My vision for the college is therefore aimed at transforming the institution into a catalyst for the development of Anambra State and a strategic partner to the Anambra State government in meeting the good governance needs of the state especially in the area of teacher education. I want the college to be a world class college in academic excellence and foremost in teacher training institution in Nigeria. To do that, we are bound to set and regulate training standards and direct training to would be teachers using highly qualified, skilled, competent and experienced professional staff, modern techniques and technology.
How long have you been in the college and what have been your challenges?
Well I’m almost two years old in the college. The challenges are quite big but we are facing them. When I came in I inherited dilapidated infrastructure and a management riddled with crisis. There was also issues of all poor funding, but I thank God, that we have been able to restore normal peace, put round peg in a round hole administratively which had helped us to raise the academic standard in the college. I have as my top most priority academic excellence and standard to be put in place before I live the college even though we are yet to come out from the economic crunch that had for a long time been a cog in the wheel of progress of this institution, although it is a general problem in the country. The students intake has also increased from barely2,500 to 6,000 students on regular academic studies while we have over 5000, on part time. We have also enough qualified teaching staff well equipped in knowledge, discipline and skill. We are grateful to the governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano because he is an education friendly governor. As I,m speaking with you, the governor is on the process of upgrading this college to a state University of College of Education and the bill I learnt is now before the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Did you increase the school fees in the recent time?
We did not increase the school fees, not even a kobo was added to the school fees. What we did was that we introduced the use of T-Shirt and cap to match as an identity like other institutions in Anambra State and elsewhere. The other one is the N10, 000 accreditation fee for all the students. We are doing everything humanly possible to have all our courses reaccredited in this coming exercise. In fact, the college is running 25 NCE and 23 Degree which is undergoing reaccreditation which is done after some years and we are fully preparing for the visit of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, and don’t forget that this institution is running a Degree Programmes in Education in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and so far we have turned out best students in teaching profession that have made their marks in their chosen careers.
How did you see the reversion of Alvan Ikoku College of Education to its former status by President Buahri?
I think there was a clash of interest somewhere. From what I heard they did not follow due process in the pronouncement. There are laid down procedure for upgrading an institution and the National University Commission and all relevant authorities must be certified having articulately followed the processes before an institution is upgraded. I think that was the reason.
The fallen standard of education in Nigeria is generally blamed on teachers, what is your take on that?
The dwindling academic standard often blamed on the teachers, I can say is a misplaced aggression. It is not the teacher but our attitude of those who assess education. Students are no longer interested in reading their books rather they prefer to browse on their phones, play games, Whatsapp, watch films, post all sorts of things in the Facebook and so on. The parents also encourage them because, when a parent pays somebody to take WAEC and JAMB for his siblings to get into the university, it becomes a system and part of the child training.