The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union has criticised the Federal Government’s recent policy granting admission waivers to candidates seeking entry into Colleges of Education without adequate consultation, warning that such decisions could undermine teacher education standards in Nigeria.
The union expressed its concerns on Wednesday in Abuja during a press briefing addressed by its National President, Lawal Bazza, who said the policy was introduced without engaging key stakeholders in the education sector.
According to Bazza, while efforts to boost enrolment into Colleges of Education are welcome, reforms must not come at the expense of quality or professionalism in teacher training.
He stressed that COEASU was excluded from discussions leading to the decision, insisting that education policies should follow a participatory approach.
“We were not part of the discussions that produced this policy shift,” Bazza said.
He further argued that government reforms in the education sector must be driven by broad consultation.
“Critical stakeholders must be engaged so we understand the rationale behind policy decisions,” he added.
Bazza warned that a top-down approach to policy formulation could weaken the system, especially in teacher education, which he described as central to national development.
He noted that the union would convene an emergency National Officers’ Council meeting to formally review the policy and issue a unified position.
COEASU also reaffirmed its support for ongoing reforms in the sector, including the implementation of the Federal Colleges of Education Act 2023, which maintains the Nigeria Certificate in Education as the minimum qualification for teachers.
The union also backed a proposed five-year training structure for student teachers, saying it would strengthen both pedagogical skills and subject mastery.
Bazza commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, for their efforts to implement the Act in line with its original framework.
On labour relations, the COEASU president raised concerns over alleged intimidation of lecturers in some institutions, accusing certain provosts of penalising staff for union activities.
He also confirmed that the union had successfully renegotiated its agreement with the Federal Government after about 16 years, describing it as a major milestone in industrial relations within the education sector.
Bazza, however, urged authorities to accelerate similar negotiations with other unions to prevent disruptions in tertiary institutions across the country.
He further lamented salary disparities in several state-owned Colleges of Education, warning that poor remuneration could trigger industrial unrest if not addressed.
“Some states are still paying very low salaries in Colleges of Education, and this could threaten industrial harmony,” he warned.
The union called on the Federal Government to engage state authorities to ensure full implementation of agreed terms across institutions nationwide.
