Ogun State Government has scrapped the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, while it has merged the four Information and Communication Technology polytechnics in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. John Odubela, at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday announced the scrapping of TASUED and merger of the ICT-based polytechnics in the state.
Odubela said TASUED had been converted to an institute with immediate effect and now affiliated to the Faculty of Education of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.
The commissioner directed TASUED authorities to stop further admission of students, especially for the 2012/2013 academic session.
He added that the university campus would be immediately relocated to Omu-Ijebu, which is the current site of another state-owned institution, Tai Solarin College of Education, while TASCE would be moved to Ijagun.
He explained that the state government had decided to merge the four ICT polytechnics and create a new institution from them to be called Ogun State Institute of Technology.
The ICT polytechnics, which were established in 2006 include Kesington Adebutu ICT Polytechnic, Saapade; Abraham Adesanya ICT Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo; D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori; and Ayodeji Otegbola ICT Polytechnic, Igbesa.
The commissioner stated that Igebsa would serve as the main campus of the new Ogun State Institute of Technology while Saapade, Ijebu-Igbo and Itori would operate as satellite campuses.
He said the Egbado Teachers’ Training College, Ilaro, has been renamed Ayodeji Otegbola Teachers’ Training College “in order to still keep that name – Ayo Otegbola”
Odubela explained that the government decisions were taken following the recommendation of the Special Committee set up by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to review the reports of visitation panels to the various institutions.
The special committee, according to him, was headed by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Segun Adesegun.
In a swift reaction, TASUED students protested against the “demotion” of their institution and demanded immediate reversal of the policy by government in the interest of peace.
Chanting various anti-government slogans, the students, who stormed the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abeokuta, alleged that the scrapping of their school was in bad faith.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the protesters, the Students Union President, Abdullahi Oyekanmi, debunked claims that most of the courses offered in TASUED were not education-related.
He contended that if the institution had been found wanting in terms of quality, manpower and infrastructural development, the National Universities Commission would have revoked its accreditation.
He said, “If they are really committed to education – education is the bedrock of any development – then they rebuild and revamp the collapsed infrastructure. Giving excuses of unavailability of fund is not an excuse. We know our governor, probably some people have been advising him; he should not listen to their advice. This decision should therefore be reversed.”-PUNCH
No comments:
Post a Comment