TETFund approves N130 million each for polytechnics as intervention fund
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved N130 million for each polytechnic as a zonal intervention in its 2023 intervention line.
Buhari Mika’Ilu, the Director of Infrastructure of the Fund, confirmed this development at the TETFund/NBTE sensitization workshop on the 2023 Zonal Intervention on Skills for Rectors and Directors of Skills in Beneficiary Polytechnics in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that the fund aimed to revitalize skills acquisition in polytechnics across the country.
Mika’Ilu explained that the intervention was intended to support institutions in meeting basic requirements for accreditation.
It primarily focused on projects with academic relevance, addressing deficiencies in core areas such as acquiring essential instructional materials and equipment for teaching and learning, as well as building capacities for the use of the procured equipment.
He stated, “Funds are allocated in line with the provisions of the Establishment Act and are guided towards addressing the critical and essential needs of the beneficiary institutions to improve quality and maintain standards in tertiary educational institutions.”
Mika’Ilu also highlighted the role of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in championing the need for skills in the Nigerian educational system.
He emphasized that the allocated funds for the polytechnics’ zonal allocation in 2023 aimed to strengthen skills acquisition in these institutions. The allocated amount of N130,000,000 per polytechnic would be used for the procurement, installation, testing, training, and commissioning of relevant training materials.
The director further revealed that since the inception of the zonal intervention in 2016, the fund had allocated a total sum of N52,046,079,584.7 as zonal intervention to enlisted polytechnics.
He provided examples of previous interventions, such as the “Student Dignity Project” in 2017, which focused on upgrading and standardizing lavatory facilities and providing shuttle buses for student use. The 2022 intervention was used for deploying ICT facilities within the institutions to enhance their capacity for effective online program delivery.
Mika’Ilu expressed optimism that the intervention would help revive skills and improve the employability of graduates in the long run.
He emphasized that the intervention had created opportunities for academic staff in science and technology programs to fabricate equipment, promoting skills development in polytechnics.
Meanwhile, Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, urged polytechnic rectors to explore innovative approaches to skills development and devise effective solutions to enhance the quality and relevance of technical education in their institutions.
He highlighted the importance of skills development and entrepreneurship, as they prepare individuals for employment across all sectors of the economy and foster a brighter future in the face of global competition.
Echono recognized the significant strides made by TETFund and NBTE in promoting skills development in beneficiary polytechnics, empowering individuals and transforming communities.
The sensitization workshop aimed to discuss and enlighten participants on the skills agenda, occupational areas for gainful employment of graduates, and the formalization of the informal skills sector.
By addressing these aspects, the workshop aimed to align the educational system with the demands of the labor market.
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These people are really taking education for a ride and are contributing to why the decadence in our output from our Technically oriented Higher Institutions.
What can that chicken amount achieve in any Polytechnic?
Until we begin to plunge fund into training our students to be technically talented we shall continue to be producing technicians that have no technical skill but mere certificate holders.
Instead of sharing out the money, the supervisory body should consider installation of equipments to these institutions and undertake the updating the teachers through attending courses relevant to their fields than allowing them such meagre amount which is less than one member in the national and state assemblies cart home monthly.
Thank you for this feedback, Mr Obinna.