Ogun State government bows to pressure, recognises PDE status as professional qualification for teachers
ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
In what could have become a show of shame, the Ogun State government has finally salvaged her pride to recognise and accept the status of Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) as professional qualification for teachers in her establishment.
Over the years, the state has been at the center of controversy among other states in the country, having been the only state yet to recognise and accept the PDE programme holding at the Federal College of Education, (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta in collaboration with Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN.
Daily Dispatch gathered that all entreaties to persuade the state government since the programme started even in her domain had met stiff resistant, while teachers in the state who had spent their hard earned salaries to upgrade and key into the system which is the basic professional qualification for teachers in the country were jilted and disappointed at the government bluff.
However, the good news about the state government to do the needful on the programme was broken by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Aikulola Olu. Ola in his remark as chairman, at the 4th Graduation/Induction ceremony of Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) program; Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), and Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) graduands into the teaching profession.
The 309 successful graduands who had passed through lectures and examinations were inducted by the Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of TRCN, Professor Josiah Ajiboye and Provost of FCE, Dr. Adetayo Ajayi. The event was described historical, being the first combined convocation for all the three programmes.
The Permanent Secretary ably represented by Dr Waheed Olanloye, Director, Primary and Higher Education department in the ministry while responding to issue said: ” On the issue of recognition, we are going to see to the issue of non-recognition of the status of PDE as professional qualification for teachers by the state government.
“Ogun state government has no choice than to recognise the programme. We cannot afford to lag behind in the comity of education development in Nigeria. Ogun State is well known as the gateway to education in the country.
“I wish to aver that by the virtue of your training, it is expected that you contribute to quality assurance and control in the teaching profession. Also, through the skills you have acquired, you should be able to bridge the gap between classroom and real life experience for learners.”
Earlier on, the Provost of the College, Dr. Ajayi had revealed in his welcome address that all other 35 states, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had recognised and accepted the PDE programme as professional qualification for teachers except Ogun State. Adding that this has become worrisome to the management of the College over the years.
He said: “While we are not mindful that any new invention or programme will face teething challenges, we are however pleased to note that the issue of status evaluation and non-recognition of PDE by some states government at the initial stage is gradually being surmounted.
“Presently, I am highly delighted to report that 35 states in Nigeria and FCT have duly recognised and accepted PDE as professional qualification for teachers. The only state still in the process of recognition and accepting the status of PDE as professional qualification for teachers is Ogun State.
“However, we are hopeful that the state Ministry of Education, the Teaching Service Commission and other relevant organs of the state government will fast track the process, so that our teeming population of teachers yearning to catch on the opportunity can do so.
“While thanking the state government for the early completion of the process of official acceptance of PDE professional qualification for teachers in her establishment, we on our part are always readily available to provide clarification on any grey area and rough edges required to be smoothened.”
