The
Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja approved cut-off marks for admission
into tertiary institutions for the 2013/2014 academic session.
The
Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, announced the cut-off marks into
Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and other degree-awarding
institutions as 150 while 180 is for federal universities.
Rufa’i
said this at the Fourth Combined Policy Meeting on Admission to Degree-Awarding
Institutions, National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and
National Innovation Diploma (NID) awarding institutions.
She said
the meeting was to plan for the selection of qualified candidates into the
nations tertiary institutions and also to restore confidence in the education
system.
“I
implore all stakeholders to follow the Federal Government’s guidelines on
admission which stipulates a 70:30 Technology/Non-Technology ratio for ND
programmes.
“Also,
60:40 Science/Arts ratio for Degree and Nigeria Certificate in Education
programmes and also to observe the criteria on merit, catchments and
educationally less developed states.
“In
addition, we must not forget the carrying-capacity of our institutions as
approved by the accrediting bodies,’’ she said.
According
to her, the accreditation bodies are the National Universities Commission
(NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission
for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
Rufa’i
said in order to enhance the carrying capacities of the country’s institutions
the ministry had undertaken continuous development and rehabilitation of
infrastructure in the institutions of higher learning.
She, however,
said the Tertiary Education Trust Fund had disbursed N256.4 billion over the
past three years for diverse development activities in the institutions.
She said
that at the polytechnic level all the 51 Federal and state and polytechnics had
benefited from rehabilitation and upgrading of their laboratories to 21st
century standards at a total of N15 billion.
She said
that this had helped to enhance the teaching and learning process in the
institutions.
She also
said that work had also started on the construction of micro-teaching
laboratories in our colleges of education.
The
minister also said that all Federal Colleges of Education and one state College
of Education per state would benefit from this, making a total of 58
institutions at a cost of N11.6 billion.
“I am
pleased that these interventions continue to translate to expanded carrying
capacity in our institutions.
“For this
academic year, we expect carrying capacity to increase from 400,691 admitted
last year to over 500,000.
“I urge
all institutions to carefully examine their carrying capacities in relation to
their expanding infrastructure. You must make sure that you fill the quota for
each course.’’
She
called on all institutions to adhere to the admission timetable as prepared by
the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Rufa’i
commended JAMB on the successful conduct of the 2013 UTME.
The
Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said the meeting was to prepare grounds
for needed capital development to engineer the Nigerian
Technological growth that would be attained through quality and functional education of the citizens.
Technological growth that would be attained through quality and functional education of the citizens.
“Let me
remind all the federal institutions that the ratio of 45:35:20 for merit,
catchment and educationally less-developed states, respectively, is still in
force and should be adhered to strictly to ensure national cohesion.
“All
Nigerians must be given the opportunity to mix and educate freely in any part
of the country.’’
Ojerinde
also said the ratio of 40:40:20 for state-owned institutions must be strictly
adhered to. (NAN)
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