Why FG is Converting science Schools to Technical Colleges – Bugaje

The Federal Government says it is converting Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTC) to full-fledged Federal Technical Colleges (FTC) to overhaul technical education in the country.

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje disclosed this in an interview in Abuja.

Bugaje said the reform was part of a broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector as a viable and attractive pathway for youth employment and economic development

According to him, the transition will begin in September, marking the start of a new admission cycle that will exclude science-based enrollments.

He added that students already in the system would be allowed to complete their studies, but going forward, all new admissions would be strictly for technical education.

“That is a very smart, timely intervention. Before, there used to be federal technical colleges, somebody came in and smuggled science into them.

” So, when students register, they prefer to enroll into the sciences, and the technical aspects are  ignored.

“This measure is taking effect immediately, this coming September when all admissions will be for technical education,” he said.

Bugaje said the President had approved provision of infrastructure, more equipment, more facilities, to make technical education attractive.

According to him, most polytechnics admit students from general secondary schools due to the limited number of technical colleges.

He said there were only 129 technical colleges nationwide compared to over 15,000 conventional secondary schools.

SOURCE: VANGUARD