Bill to include ICT rejected by senate

olamide oni

December 8, 2015 3:13 PM

A bill for an Act to amend the National Open University Act No. 6 1983 to provide for the inclusion of ICT as another means of providing tuition

NOUN graduating students

A Bill to amend the National Open University act has been rejected by the Senate on Tuesday.

Dailypost reported that a debate commenced on amendment of Acts that established the National Open University of Nigeria.

Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North) who is moving for the Bill, submitted that learning through ICT platform has become a global phenomenon, the practice that has been embraced worldwide, hence Nigeria cannot be left behind.

READ: President tasked to make education affordable

His motion reads; “A bill for an Act to amend the National Open University Act No. 6 1983 to provide for the inclusion of ICT as another means of providing tuition towards the advancement of learning throughout Nigeria by the National Open University and for other connected purposes 2015.”

Jibrin explained that the aim of the Bill was to legitimize the use of ICT learning for the recognition of certificates awarded by NOUN.

Senators Ibn Na’Allah and Ike Ekweremadu, in response, explained that the mode of delivering lecture by the National Open University has already been captured in the Act that established the institution, and further explained that the Senate or board of the School adopt their decision and it becomes legitimate.

“Mr Senate President, I have a copy of the Act of National Open University of Nigeria and except there was something else, if not I am not aware that the University is complaining of inadequacy of the Act”, Ekweremadu said.

The Senate President shut down the motion, pending further interactions with the school authorities to get a clearer picture.

olamide oni