Adamu Adamu, minister of education, has inaugurated the visitation panels for 25 federal polytechnics and 21 colleges of education across the country.
According to NAN, the minister, who spoke on Monday, said the visitation panels would ascertain the extent to which the institutions were mandated to carry out their functions.
Adamu, who was represented at the event by Sonny Echono, permanent secretary to the ministry, also said each panel would have an academic, financial expert and someone with knowledge of the law and other instruments.
He added that the panels’ activities would cover a period of 10 years — 2010 to 2020 — which would also be expected to present two reports, covering 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to 2020.
“Each panel is expected to review the performance of each institution assigned in the area of governance, academic standards, quality assurance, management of finances, the relationship between the management and the staff,” he said.
“This panel is clearly expected to adhere to the following terms of reference; determine the relationship between the institution, various statutory bodies according to its law of supervisions, planning, finance, guidance and discipline.
“Look at the leadership qualities of the instructions in terms of the roles of the governing council, the head of the institution, and other principal officers.”
Adamu disclosed that the panels would also look into the financial management of the institutions over the recommended period; whether it was in accordance with the budget regulations.
He also said the panels would investigate the application of funds, particularly the special grants and loans made for specific projects, among others, and urged the panels to conclude their responsibilities with best practices within the period of 60 days.
Responding on behalf of the chairmen of the visitation panels, Pai Obanya, chairman of the visitation panel to Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, said the task before them was to fulfill the government’s desire to make the institutions grow for better service
He also pledged to respect the terms of reference within the given timeline while urging the government to do justice to the recommendations of the panel.
Abubakar Rasheed, the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), also tasked members of the panels to justify their selection for the conduct of the exercise.
“From among thousands of names shortlisted, you have been selected for the conduct of the exercise in Nigeria’s Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. So, you have to justify your nomination in this appointment,” he said.
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