Kano College Lecturers Go On Strike, As FG Reverts On Upgrade To Varsity

Angered by Federal Government’s reversal of the upgrade of the college to a university of education alongside three other Federal colleges across the country, Academic Staff Union of College of Education, Kano, yesterday, declared a one-week industrial action.

The lecturers, who called for caution on the directive, advocated for a national debate on whether or not to upturn the upgrade of the colleges by the immediate past administration.

It would be recalled that former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in the twilight of his administration, directed that four federal colleges of education be upgraded to degree awarding institutions to ensure quality teacher education in the country. The affected colleges are: Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Education, Kano; and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.

Chairman of the staff union, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna lamented that the move would further worsened the poor academic standards of the NCE programme and accused the Provosts of institutions of misinforming the Federal Government against the upgrade to universities for selfish interests.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government in a circular dated 19th August, 2015, has directed immediate reversal of Federal University of Education, Kano, back to a college of education, pending further notice.

The circular, signed by the acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Hajia Hindatu Umar Abdullahai, addressed to the Provost of the college, Dr. Rabi Jubirila, directed her to take charge of the administration of the college.