The plans by the Federal Ministry of Education to make bachelor’s degree the minimum teaching qualification in Nigeria has continued to generate mixed reactions from stakeholders in the sector, with some viewing the decision as a tall order, while some others say it will make Nigeria be at par with global best practices, as well as meet global challenges.
Recall that the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, while receiving visiting Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury last week said the target of the Federal Government was to make first degree a minimum teaching qualification.
Responding when the Ambassador pointed out that in Finland all teachers have a minimum of Masters Degree, Shekarau vowed that the Federal Government would explore all measures to restore the respect, dignity and status of teachers in the country. He was optimistic that a time will come in Nigeria when all schools will be handled by university graduates.
Welcoming the decision, the Deputy Director Academic, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Prof Oyesoji Aremu, said if Nigeria wants to be at par with global challenges, then the country should raise the bar of teaching qualification entry.
He said “I quite agree with the Honourable Minister that the minimum teaching qualification should be university degree given the increasing pedagogy and andragogy challenges.
