Existing 70%/30% NBTE policy has many impediments - Polytechnic reformation team

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By Madu Obi

The team appointed by the federal government to reform polytechnic education in the country has observed that the existing 70%/30% National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, policy has been encountering many impediments in the Polytechnic.

Chairman of the committee, Engr.(Dr) Jide Soyemi and secretary, Nordiana Osagie said the impediments are likely to affect the 80%/20% policy.

According to them, these impediments include, but not limited to inadequate capital to purchase basic equipment, tools, etc, for the disciplines; inability to recruit needed experienced manpower to operate installed machines optimally; and preponderance of obsolete equipment in many disciplines, which have become irrelevant to contemporary job market.

They also listed the supply of computerized state-of-the-art equipment by TETFUND special intervention to polytechnic or through contractors, without trained skilled manpower personnel, to install or operate the

equipment;

"The result is that most equipment supplied to departments for NBTE re-accreditation exercises many years ago remain uninstalled and unusable till the next round of re-accreditation exercise of the department;

There is also the absence of accessories for the installation of the equipment to make them functional; inadequate regular electric energy to power the installed equipment/machines; poor funding of polytechnic by the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that the installed equipment are maintained – serviced.

There is also the problem of unserviceable parts which are not replaced as at when due for optimal performance. Also, there is no purchase of regular needed supportive equipment", they stated.

They urged the federal government to put forward a policy on linkages between polytechnic and industrial needs, suggesting that all technical firms should direct their technological needs (that are available and can be sourced locally) to the polytechnic, instead of sourcing from foreign firms.