NCCE rolls out new tech tools, begins curriculum review in colleges of education
By Uji A. Iliyasu, Abuja
The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has commenced the deployment of upgraded technology tools across colleges of education nationwide as part of renewed efforts to enhance teaching and learning.
Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, noting that the commission has also begun a comprehensive review of the colleges of education curriculum to align with contemporary realities and global standards.
According to him, the commission has strengthened partnerships with key development organisations to support the technology upgrade.
“We have entered into partnership with several development partners where we have upgraded technology as a means of delivery,” Okwelle said.
He revealed that Huawei Technologies is currently running an academy that trains both students and lecturers, while the commission is also collaborating with UNESCO to upskill lecturers on the effective use of technology in lesson delivery.
“In many of our colleges, especially the beneficiary institutions, we are deploying new technology that will enhance teaching and learning,” he added.
The NCCE boss commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for providing essential financial support for the rollout of the new technologies across institutions.
On curriculum review, Prof. Okwelle explained that the process—undertaken every five years—is already underway.
“We are reviewing our curriculum. We have entered another five-year cycle. The last review was in 2020, so we are now updating the curriculum to incorporate new trends and developments,” he said.
He further disclosed that the commission is intensifying efforts to build the entrepreneurial capacity of lecturers in order to embed innovation across all subject areas.
“We are building our lecturers’ capacity. We believe that in every course, you can become an entrepreneur. Even as an English teacher, you can become an entrepreneur,” he stated.
According to him, the training will enable lecturers to integrate entrepreneurship into their teaching, thereby preparing students to create opportunities for themselves beyond seeking government jobs.
“At the end of the day, we expect our lecturers to apply these skills in their classroom delivery so that whether you are graduating as a physics, agriculture, or vocational teacher, you can also make a living out of what you studied,” he added.
The ongoing reforms, he noted, are expected to reposition colleges of education for improved teacher preparation in line with 21st-century demands.