The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all unions in the tertiary education sector in Oyo state has outlined its reservations on the draft of the Oyo State Tertiary Education Commission Bill before the House of Assembly.
The union which represents trade unions in tertiary institutions in the state said certain provisions in the bill may inadvertently impede the growth, development and efficient functioning of institutions.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Olusegun Oyewumi outlined Erosion of Autonomy, Resource Misallocation, Redundancy of Directorates, Resistance to External Influence and others as their reservations.
Oyewumi suggested a model similar to the Ministry of Tertiary Education in Lagos State for effective oversight adding that establishing a commission in its current form could lead to confusion, create anarchy and diminish the quality of tertiary education in Oyo state.
He urged Governor Seyi Makinde to reconsider this bill and withhold its passage to ensure a more thorough review by key stakeholders to align with best practices and avoid potential harm to institutions.
While commending the Governor for recent upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo to the prestigious status of the University of Education and the recent release of financial support to the tertiary institutions, the union sought audience of Governor Seyi Makinde as soon as possible to discuss serious festering issues of concern in the education sector in the state.
His words: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the visionary leadership and the unwavering commitment of our amiable Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Gov. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde to the advancement of tertiary education in Oyo State. The recent upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo to the prestigious status of the University of Education and the recent release of financial support to the tertiary institutions in the state is a testament to your dedication to providing quality tertiary education in the state. This transformative decision will undoubtedly expand educational opportunities and enhance the academic landscape of our state.
“However, it is with profound sense of duty we bring to your attention certain anomalies identified by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing trade unions in tertiary institutions in the state, regarding the draft “Oyo State Tertiary Education Commission bill”. While we appreciate the concern and love demonstrated by the government for our tertiary education system, we believe that certain provisions in the bill may inadvertently impede the growth, development and efficient functioning of our institutions.
“It is with deep concern that we, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Upon careful study and critique the functions outlined for the commission, we have identified the following reservations:
“Duplication of Functions: The proposed functions of the commission appear to overlap with the roles and responsibilities already assigned to the Governing Councils of various tertiary institutions in the state. Establishing the commission in its current form would effectively legalize the usurpation of powers vested in the Governing Councils.
“Erosion of Autonomy: Tertiary institutions are meant to operate independently, yet the commission threatens to erode their autonomy by centralizing control. This contradicts global best practices and may hinder academic freedom and innovation.
“Suffocation of Sector: The commission’s broad mandate could suffocate the tertiary education sector with excessive regulation and bureaucracy, hindering effective management and decision-making within institutions.
“Resource Misallocation: Establishing the commission risks wasting state resources on a redundant entity, as the roles it seeks to fulfill are already enshrined in existing laws governing each institution and actively managed by the Governing Councils.
“Redundancy of Directorates: Many of the proposed directorates of the commission replicate functions already performed by various institutions and supervisory agencies like the NUC, NBTE, and NCCE. This raises doubts about the added value the commission would bring.
“Resistance to External Influence: JAC is wary of repeating the mistakes of past interventions, such as the disruptive influence of Leviathan-like Platinum consultants. We must ensure that any commission does not undermine the authority of management and Governing Councils.
“National Regulation of Tertiary Education: The regulation of Tertairy education in Nigeria is an exclusive function of the various regulatory agencies like NUC, NBTE, NCCE etc. This idea of having a parallel commission is a duplication and it runs parallel and contrary to the normal academic practice. This ideal will amount to useless duplication and unnecessary wastage of government resources.
“JAC strongly advocates for a reassessment of the Commission’s structure and functions, suggesting a model similar to the Ministry of Tertiary Education in Lagos State for effective oversight. A close look and analysis of the structure and functions of “The Ministry of Tertiary Education” in Lagos State shows a structure that will aid the growth of the institutions in the state rather than the present structure and functions being advocated in the proposed bill of the Oyo State commission. Establishing the Commission in its current form could lead to confusion, create anarchy and diminish the quality of tertiary education in Oyo State, undermining your government efforts to advance education development in the state.
“We respectfully urge Your Excellency to reconsider this bill and withhold its passage, ensuring a more thorough review by key stakeholders to align with best practices and avoid potential harm to our institutions.
“We equally want to seize this opportunity to seek for the promised audience of His Excellency as soon as possible to discuss serious festering issues of concern in our sector that its agitation in currently becoming unmanageable in order to forestall crises in the tertiary education sector of the state.”
