THE Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayyattu Ahmed Rufa’i, Friday, disclosed that not less than twelve Federal and state Polytechnics in the country, have so far received the sum of N1billion each from the Tertiary Education High Impact Fund initiated by the Federal Government, saying that the fund was initiated with a view to strengthen the running of Polytechnics in the country.
She recalled that in 2012, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund granted a total of N9.3billion to Polytechnics and Monotechnics, adding that lecturers in the Polytechnics are also benefiting from staff development programmes which according to her is geared towards producing more lecturers with doctorate degrees.
She disclosed this during commissioning of the Philipa Idogho campus, Federal polytechnic Auchi, Edo state. While commending the efforts of the management of the institution led by the Rector, Dr Philipa Idogho, the Minister said in order to strengthen technical education in the country, the Federal Government also initiated the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), saying that ” this will enable the complete rehabilitation and upgrading of. their laboratories , thereby helping to sustain students interest and learning outcome”.
“I would like to commend the management of Auchi Polytechnic , the polytechnic is gradually turning inot one of the top institutions in the country. It is as a result of this that I must reiterate my assertion during the inauguration of the Governing Councils of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, that Governing Councils must follow laid down guidelines and promote merit across the institutions. Appointment of principal officers must be on merit. This is why we are witnessing this progress today in Auchi Polytechnic” she stated.