JAMB urged to support growth of private colleges of education in Nigeria

The Joint and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been urged to support the numerical growth of private colleges of education in the country.

The Provost of Bayo Tijani College of Education, Lagos Amaechi Matilda made the call while speaking during the 6th matriculation exercise of the school held in Lagos.

Amaechi also stressed the need for JAMB to consider the location of private colleges of education before sending prospective students to them.

According to her: “Considering the current economic situation in the country, sending students for admission from the Eastern or Northern part of the country to colleges of education situated in the South may not yield positive result as parents or guardians of such students may not afford the cost of training their wards in far places.”

To her, such effort by JAMB has not contributed to the numerical growth of private colleges of education as students often reject the offer of admission due to far distance,

She however, noted that when prospective students are offered admission in the state where they reside, it becomes easier for parents to train them.

On the other hand, she appealed to private secondary school owners to ensure they employ trained teachers from either colleges of education or university.

She encouraged youths in the country to go to school and shun evil practices such as cyber-crime, money rituals, robbery among others that will cut their lives short.

Addressing the matriculating students, she said: “Admission to this college will make no sense if you fail to accept the great opportunity that must be fully utilised. Keep your eyes on the goal to graduate and graduate with an excellent result.”

She also advised them to be good ambassadors of the college and added that the college has produced men and women not just teachers, but in other walks of life.

Maintaining that the college does not condone unacceptable attitude, the Provost said:” the school does not smile at indecent dressing, examination malpractice. The consequences of examination malpractice are stringent.”

In addition, she said that the college has put in place, beside the academic pursuit, skill acquisition to aid her students become active wherever they may dwell.

Some of the matriculating students who spoke during the exercise lauded the college for giving them the opportunity to study and promised to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the college.