Emphasis On Paper Qualification, Bane Of Education Growth – TETFUND Boss

Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, Executive Secretary of TETFund

The executive secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Professor Suleiman Bogoro, has said that the mad rush to obtain paper qualifications by most Nigerians without necessarily passing through academic rigour to attain such qualifications is the bane of educational growth in the country.

Bogoro stated this while speaking as a guest speaker at the Graduation Lecture of the 44th Convocation Ceremony of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Kaduna yesterday.
He said it has become an issue of serious concern to see young Nigerians with high academic qualifications, who cannot defend the certificates in practical terms.

Leadership report continues:
In the paper entitled, “Sustainability of Higher Education Institutions In Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”, Bogoro noted that lack of research in most tertiary institutions in the country is responsible for the decline in educational development, stressing that it is impossible for higher education institutions to succeed with inadequate funding, too much emphasis on teaching and less of research.

He said, “The Diploma Disease Syndrome – the struggle for certificates – has contributed considerably to unemployment among the graduates.”

“Thus, learning is reduced to acquisition of certificates. This syndrome, by and large, leaves many students registering for courses that may not have practical value, especially if it is easier for them to secure admission to study such courses.”