Why Govt Must Pay Attention To Polytechnic Education- OSCOTECH Chairman

Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke, Hon. Diran Odeyemi, on Wednesday said the major reason for introducing polytechnics into the country has been abandoned by successive governments.

According to Odeyemi, part of the efforts to grease the wheel of Nation’s development is to encourage polytechnic and Technology institutions that are capable of training students on skill acquisition programs required for development of the nation.

To this end, Odeyemi opined that the students of polytechnic and Technology institutions should be well funded by both federal and state and local governments in order for students of such institutions to realize their dreams

He said: “Polytechnic education was essentially introduced into the country to produce technical manpower, provide technical knowledge and skills to give training and impart necessary skills for the production of technicians, technologists, and other skilled personnel.

OSCOTECH Governing Council Chairman stated these while fielding questions from members of Osun NUJ Correspondent Chapel, Osogbo.

He noted that there is no nation around the world that developed without given priority to polytechnic and Technological institutions, adding that much attention must be given to polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Odeyemi was of the opinion that polytechnic education should be given a pride of place because that is the only institution where skills are acquired for self development just as he said many students go to university to acquire theoretical knowledge without skills .

“Imaging a student after graduating from a university, acquiring a degree but later started learning handwork from illiterate persons just because he or she wanted to acquire skills that can make him or her self reliant.

” The world is changing and technology is already driving the world and every nation yearning for development must embrace technology”.

“Our government must look beyond degree acquired from university, but focused and encouraged polytechnic education capable of turning the nation around”.

He stressed that the aims and objective of establishing polytechnic and schools of technology is for training and skills acquisition which helps to drive economy from consumption to production.

He stated that OSCOTECH has been training students for both OND and HND in the field of Technology, adding that 90 percent of courses run in the institution are Technological based, just as he said efforts are on to introduce Mass communication department.

Odeyemi who used the opportunity to implore alumni association of the institution to come to the aid of some less privileged students who are willing to read but lacks financial capability to fund their education.

OSCOTECH chairman said they should reach out by assisting in the education and training of the less privileged students as it would be counter-productive to leave everything to the government and parents alone.

The Chairman who appreciated some people who have been supporting the educations and progress of some students of the institution especially the Rector, Dr S. A. O Adegoke, and other management team for their unalloyed support to him since he assumed office.