Foreign
graduates who wish to participate in the National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC) must have the minimum entry requirements into Nigerian
universities and other tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, made this known on Monday in Abuja when she received the Director General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia.
Okore-Affia led a delegation to her office to seek clarifications on mobilisation for foreign graduates.
Rufa'i said irrespective of bridge programmes that foreign students might engage in prior to seeking admission abroad, they must also earn the minimum admission requirements for entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
According to her, that include Mathematics and English Language.
``Let me make one thing very clear on the issue of studying abroad, I know that no government will put a stop to people who are interested in going out to study abroad.
"And, in fact, we even have scholarships in terms of bilateral agreements that we have with other countries.
``There are things that people need to know before sending their wards abroad, the basic entry requirements for Nigerian universities or institutions are critical.
``The basic entry requirement is a necessity for a Nigerian child to be recognised in Nigeria even after his graduation from any other university abroad.
Speaking earlier, Okore-Affia, said the team was on the visit to seek clarifications on the issue that had been of serious concern to the Corps.
``The NYSC programme had come under serious challenges of mobilising some foreign graduates for the mandatory one year service scheme, most of whom are children of top echelons of the society," he explained.
He said that the NYSC also lacked a comprehensive data base on the foreign institutions that were duly accredited by the Ministry.
``We seek an update on the list of accredited and approved institutions because most of these graduates
when they return and approach us to participate in the scheme, we find it difficult to know those who are truly eligible for service.
``We have problems of mobilising foreign graduates because those that come back with deficiencies in the basic entry requirements have all manners of bridging programmes." he added.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, made this known on Monday in Abuja when she received the Director General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia.
Okore-Affia led a delegation to her office to seek clarifications on mobilisation for foreign graduates.
Rufa'i said irrespective of bridge programmes that foreign students might engage in prior to seeking admission abroad, they must also earn the minimum admission requirements for entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
According to her, that include Mathematics and English Language.
``Let me make one thing very clear on the issue of studying abroad, I know that no government will put a stop to people who are interested in going out to study abroad.
"And, in fact, we even have scholarships in terms of bilateral agreements that we have with other countries.
``There are things that people need to know before sending their wards abroad, the basic entry requirements for Nigerian universities or institutions are critical.
``The basic entry requirement is a necessity for a Nigerian child to be recognised in Nigeria even after his graduation from any other university abroad.
Speaking earlier, Okore-Affia, said the team was on the visit to seek clarifications on the issue that had been of serious concern to the Corps.
``The NYSC programme had come under serious challenges of mobilising some foreign graduates for the mandatory one year service scheme, most of whom are children of top echelons of the society," he explained.
He said that the NYSC also lacked a comprehensive data base on the foreign institutions that were duly accredited by the Ministry.
``We seek an update on the list of accredited and approved institutions because most of these graduates
when they return and approach us to participate in the scheme, we find it difficult to know those who are truly eligible for service.
``We have problems of mobilising foreign graduates because those that come back with deficiencies in the basic entry requirements have all manners of bridging programmes." he added.
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The Minister of Education should not use the issue of Ordinary Level Mathematics and English language as the basis for NYSC rejection.
ReplyDeleteAs a progressive country, Nigeria education system need to evolve beyond traditional need for O Level Mathematics and English language. If we look at the world ranking of universities, there is no recognised university in Nigeria. In the developed world, bridging programmes are used to create an inclusive education system and society. The bridging programmes are not inferior in anyway but a way of bringing those who could not have the traditional entry qualifications into mainstream further education and jobs.
The Minister of Education and NYSC head should update the accreditation database regularly because advanced countries are constantly updating their accreditation systems to support their workforce and economy. Nigeria should not be left behind. The Minister should move away from requesting traditional O Level Mathematics and English language for NYSC service because in advanced countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, they have excellent alternative bridging programmes. This is why they are able to train capable citizens in high technology to support their continued advancement. Thank God some of our own Nigerian children trained in those advanced countries. We need these Nigerians to come home to contribute their quota to develop Nigeria.
A graduate from any of the advanced countries should not have any need to declare their O level result in Mathematics and English language. If their graduate qualification is acquired from an accredited college or university abroad, there is no need for O level Mathematics and English language. I expect leaders in the Nigeria education system to know the meaning of inclusive education. Nigeria cannot afford sluggish and old education system that neglects the youths and alienate capable hands. The Minister should correct these anomalies hastily.
The most respected universities abroad have numerous bridging programmes to encourage inclusive education system. It is time for Nigeria to move on from the past and towards modern technology advancement.
The Minister of Education and NYSC officials should aim to move Nigeria education system forward to support the 21st century and beyond.
WHY CANT THEY WRITE & PASS O|L ENGLISH & MATHS.
ReplyDeleteI expect leaders in the Nigeria education system to know the meaning of inclusive education. ,,,,,i support this!!!
ReplyDelete