COE: Enrolment into NCE programme declined to 69 in 2023, 23 in 2024

Student enrolment into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) Programme of College of Education, Afaha Nsit, drastically declined to 69 in 2023/2024 academic year and 23 in 2024/2025.

This was disclosed by the Provost of the College, Prof Daniel Udo, on Wednesday, February 26, during his presentation to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Education at the public hearing on a Bill to convert the College to a University.

According to Prof Udo, the decline is due to the increased preference of students for bachelor’s degree.

“The fortunes of the College have dwindled in recent times due to the increased preferences of students and employers for the Bachelor’s Degree. This has resulted in the drastic decline in enrolment into the College and a corresponding surge in the demand for university education.

“For instance, enrolment into the NCE Programme has drastically declined from over 4000 in the early years to just 69 in the 2023/2024 academic session. It may interest the House to note that the number further dropped to 23 students in the current 2024/2025 admission year due to extremely low demand for the NCE certificate.

“The College now depends on University of Uyo Degree students who are running affiliate programmes in the College.

“This challenge is also faced by other States and Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria. As a result of this, several Colleges of Education have transformed into University of Education,” he noted.

The provost revealed that in an effort to save the Federal Colleges of Education from total extinction, the National Assembly had made a law to mandate all Federal Colleges that are up to ten years to award both the degree and NCE certificates, but noted that the law further compounded the problem.

“Despite the obvious challenges and cumbersome administrative requirements for implementing this law to the benefit of teachers’ education in the country, State Colleges like ours can only be rescued by the intervention of a responsive and diligent service of their lawmakers such as this timely action by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

“Under the Dual Mode, it is not clear whether such institutions will be headed by a Vice Chancellor or a Provost or both and whether the awarded degrees would be presided over by the Provost in Academic Board or a Vice Chancellor in Senate.

“Arising from these conceptual controversies, the concept of Dual Mode in running the State College of Education cannot be recommended because it cannot serve the interest of Akwa Ibom State and the ARISE Agenda,” he added.

255 lecturers teach 23 NCE students

Statistics presented by Prof Udo showed that the College currently has six schools, which include, School of Arts and Social Sciences with

9 NCE students and 29 lecturers; School of Education with no NCE student and 43 lecturers; and School of Early Childhood Education with 5 NCE students and 15 lecturers.

Others are School of Languages with 2 NCE students 28 lecturers; School of Science with 4 NCE students and 66 lecturers; and School of Vocational Technology with 3 NCE students and 74 lecturers.

“From the statistics above, 23 NCE students are taught by 255 lecturers. The recruitment of additional staff in 2023 was geared at meeting the NUC standard for accreditation as some of the pre-existing lecturers were not, and are still not qualified to teach in the degree programme,” Prof Udo added.

We’re in support of the Bill -Prof Udo

While enumerating the numerous potentials of the school which have so far been untapped, Prof Udo acknowledged that converting the College to a University will reposition the school to add value to the state.

“Apart from producing and maintaining our infrastructure and equipment in terms of woodwork, iron and electrical services, the Department of Technical Education will be developed to serve the state and nation with its products and services.

“The Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, specialized in all kinds of skilled services, is undergoing construction courtesy of TETFund.

“That Centre, on completion, will accommodate massive training for our teaming population that may be unable to access education through the formalities of School Certificate and JAMB, under the School of Continuing Education.

“These are tips on the versatility of the proposed University and the need to bring it to exist, in the spirit of the ARISE Agenda.

“Our proposed Demonstration Blocks and Welding Factories (practical workshop in Technical Education) will recall our youths from the streets to productive opportunities offered by the University,” he further stated.

He averred that with the existing physical structures in the College such as staff offices, classrooms, laboratories, conferences and seminar rooms, demonstration farm and school, all in less than 35% of the over 171 acres of land, the University can conveniently set out, assuring that the school has enough space to accommodate the proposed University

According to him, the upgrading of the College to a University will create room for educational, economic and socio-cultural benefits to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

“The College of Education, Afaha Nsit, strongly supports this Bill to provide for a law for the establishment of Akwa Ibom State University of Education and urges the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to pass it into law.

“We appreciate the State Government’s commitment to advancing education in the state and pledge our full cooperation in ensuring the successful transformation of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, into a University of Education,” he concluded.

He thanked the House Committee on Education for its vested in interest in the development of the College, and pledged the full cooperation of the school management to the Committee.

Declaring the Public Hearing open, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, represented by Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the education sector through progressive legislation.

“This bill reflects the dedication of the 8th Assembly to providing the necessary legislative framework to drive qualitative and quantitative improvements in education. We believe that a University of Education will significantly enhance learning and produce competent teachers capable of competing nationally and internationally,” he stated.

Chairman of the Committee on Education and Member Representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Hon. (Chief) Kenim Onofiok, emphasised that the Committee was determined to pass a well-structured law that will ensure the University becomes a model of excellence.

“We have carefully reviewed the bill and identified key areas that require attention, including transitional provisions, composition of councils, funding, and staffing. These are critical to the success of the University, and we are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders’ views are considered in the final draft,” she noted.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh emphasised the urgent need to upgrade the state’s College of Education to a University of Education, stating that such a move would significantly enhance the state’s education standard, and align it with global best practices and fostering academic excellence.

Prof. Umoh urged the lawmakers to facilitate the passage of the proposed bill which he said would elevate the institution’s status. He stressed that transforming the College into a University would not only improve the quality of teacher education but also broaden access to higher learning opportunities for students in the state.

“This upgrade is a crucial step towards resetting the state’s education sector for the benefit of all,” the Commissioner noted.

He called on the State Assembly to prioritize the bill’s passage, ensuring a stronger and more competitive education system.