Worried by the current unpleasant academic posture of federal polytechnics and colleges of education in the country, the minister of education, Professor Rukayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, recently constituted a seven-man high powered panel to inspect, evaluate and draw recommendations for improving the administrative and academic status of the institutions.
The decision was likely motivated by persistent complaints from academics and other related experts, calling for urgent federal intervention to save the institutions from imminent collapse.
The chairman of the panel, Dr. Ayuba Tanko Abubakar, who led his? members on inspection visit to the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State last week, told LEADERSHIP that the purpose of the visit was to review the performance of the institution in the area of administration, as well as the instructional quality offered by the institution.
He further said that other aspects his panel was expected to look into include the management of finances, the academic staff quality, the relationship between the management, the staff, the students and as well as the host community.
Dr. Tanko also observed that there were reports that the physical infrastructures of many federal polytechnics and colleges of educations were in very bad shape, disclosing that his panel would also look critically into that aspect, including the available instructional facilities on ground, adding that, “the panel was empowered to recall any officer on leave” to request for access to any official record or document.
Although the visitation mission to the institution was a fact finding exercise, Dr. Tanko however maintained that the panel, which was composed of highly experienced academicians, reputable engineers, administrators and financial consultants, would rigorously and critically scrutinise each component of the institution to ensure that no area was left out from assessment so that a comprehensive recommendation could be drawn for relevant action by the federal government.
As part of the panel’s comprehensive inspection in the state, the chairman earlier led his team, accompanied by the rector Kaura Federal Polytechnic,? Engineer Ahmed A Luggard and other top management and academic staff of the institution, on a courtesy call to the state commissioner of science and technical education, Alhaji Bala Muhammad Dansadau, to avail him with the main purpose of the panel’s visit to the state.
During the call, Dr. Tanko told the commissioner that his panel, which has 30 days within which to conclude its assignment would among others, study the general atmosphere of the institution, investigate the application of funds, particularly the grants and loans meant for specific purposes, as well as examining the law establishing the institution and determining whether the law was being strictly observed, and see if there is need for modification of the law to enhance better performance.
He then appeals to the government of Zamfara State, as well as all other stake holders, on the need for further sensitisation of the public about the presence of his panel in the state, and also urged all concerned individuals, organisations, as well as all stakeholders to respond to any request by the panel, and also endeavour to send? relevant memorandum? that would facilitate a successful exercise.