NUT Rejects UTME Waiver for NCE Admission

NUT UTME waiver criticism grows as teachers warn the policy may reduce standards in Nigeria’s education sector.

NUT opposes UTME waiver for NCE admission over declining teacher education standards in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, NUT President Audu Amba said the move could further weaken standards in teacher education at a time the country needs stronger academic quality in classrooms.

Amba said colleges of education should attract some of the best-performing students in the country rather than becoming alternatives for candidates who fail to secure university admission.

According to him, the teaching profession risks losing quality if admission requirements are lowered for future educators. He questioned why top UTME performers are not encouraged to study education courses and train as teachers.

The NUT president spoke during a sensitisation workshop organised by 21st Century in partnership with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

At the event, TRCN Registrar Dr Ronke Soyombo stressed the need for teachers to improve their digital and professional skills to meet modern education demands. She said Nigeria’s future depends on educators who can adapt to technology-driven learning environments.

Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by Dr Iyabo Ali, also called for continuous training for teachers, especially in innovation and digital education.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro warned that poor infrastructure remains a major challenge in the sector, claiming that more than 70 per cent of schools across the country lack adequate learning facilities.

The Federal Government recently approved the UTME exemption for NCE candidates as part of efforts to increase enrolment in colleges of education, but the policy has continued to generate debate among education stakeholders.