Teacher Education Crisis: Only 2% Choose Colleges

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), represented by President Dr. Ahm Lawan Bazza, has raised concerns about a crisis in teacher education in Nigeria.

During a press briefing following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held from May 6 to 9 in Warri, Delta State, Bazza disclosed that only 2% of the two million candidates who wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) chose colleges of education, while 90% opted for universities and 8% for polytechnics. This alarming trend reflects a growing public apathy towards teacher education, which COEASU warns could threaten the educational foundation of the nation.

Bazza criticized recent policies aimed at boosting enrollment, stating that without addressing poor teacher welfare and remuneration, these efforts would have limited impact. He emphasized the need for curriculum reform and better working conditions to attract students to teacher education, urging federal and state governments to prioritize teacher development to prevent a gradual extinction of the teaching profession in Nigeria.