The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has warned operators of affiliation centres offering the National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme without official approval to desist or face appropriate sanctions.
The Executive Secretary of NCCE, Dr. Angela Ajala, gave the warning during a familiarisation and interactive session with Provosts of Colleges of Education from the North-West, held at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, in Kano State.
The session also featured the commissioning of 10 electric tricycles provided to ease transportation challenges for students of the institution.
Ajala said operating an affiliation centre for the NCE programme without approval from the commission was illegal, adding that centres found violating the regulation would face appropriate sanctions.
She explained that under the newly approved dual-mandate system, students would have the opportunity to pursue NCE and degree programmes simultaneously.
The executive secretary said the initiative was designed to expand opportunities for students in Colleges of Education and strengthen teacher education in the country.
The Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, Dr. Bashir Sabo Abubakar, who hosted the event, said one of the major concerns of the institution was the need to enable graduates who obtained NCE qualifications in previous years to benefit from the new dual-mandate system.
He said allowing the graduates to obtain degree qualifications would provide them with relevant skills and improve their professional and career opportunities.
Abubakar said the college was committed to supporting initiatives that would enhance the quality of teacher education and improve students’ welfare.
The familiarisation session was attended by Provosts of federal, state and private Colleges of Education across the North-West.
During the interactive session, participants raised concerns over the proliferation of Colleges of Education and affiliation centres operating without the approval or accreditation of the NCCE.
They called for stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to check the activities of unapproved institutions and affiliation centres in the interest of students and the education system.