The Ogun State government has said that its Technical Colleges should not be tagged or considered as an alternative channel for low performance, but for serious minded and first class thinkers.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Education, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa stated this while appearing for oversight function before the House Committee on Education, held at House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He emphasized that the World Bank Project at Government Science and Technical College, Idi-Aba was aimed to reposition the mindset of some people, believing that Technical Education was for low level classes in the society.
Odemuyiwa said that the Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board was committed in enlighten both the young ones and their parents about the importance and value of Technical and Vocational Education.
While commending the House of Assembly for the passage of the Amended Bill on Technical and Vocational Education Board in the State, Odemuyiwa said that the Technical and Vocational Education Board was planning to have technical hubs in all the three Senatorial Districts using the model college structures as its centre.
He added that there would be a link between the Technical Colleges and Polytechnics for monitoring purposes, so as to be able to use the facilities and the personnel for proper and adequate guidance/instructions.
He explained that the Institute at Idi-Aba would also be used for short Term Programme while the Government, Science and Technical College, Idi-Aba would focused on NABEB certification, saying that it has been approved for Advance Technical Certificate and Advance Business Certificate which has defined Technical Colleges as commercial adventures for sustainable self-financially.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Honorable Adeyemi Ademuyiwa advised the board to be proactive in repositioning the lost glory of Technical Colleges across the State, saying that Technical Education must not be jettisoned if truly Nigeria want improved economic growth.
In their separate remarks, Hon. Dare Kadiri and his counterpart, Hon. Modupe Mojota urged the Technical and Vocational Education board not to be weary in media publicity of its colleges and polytechnics.
