Ex-NUC boss identifies qualities needed in next Minister of Education

chika ebuzor

October 30, 2015 7:16 AM

According to him, the new Minister of Education should be one who understands the sector, its challenges and way forward.

Prof. Peter Okebukola

Prof. Peter Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), has said that the next Minister of Education should be someone who has a qualification in education.

Okebukola said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of a colloquium on education organised by the Government Secondary School, Owerri, Old Boys Association on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme of the colloquium is "A Review of the Education Sector in Nigeria and Recommendations for Sector-Wide Reforms.’’

"It is either the person has a qualification in education, or he knows the terrain and has a passion for education.

"The person should have an uncommon courage; the person should stand tall in terms of intelligence and eloquence.

"The person should have the dexterity to navigate the minds of the leaders of the various unions in the sector -- universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and at the lower levels.’’

He said that money was not the problem of the sector but judicious use of the resources available.

According to him, the colloquium will recommend reform of teacher education; remodelling of schools and boosting technical education.

chika ebuzor