ASUP calls on state governments to support state-owned polytechnics

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) urged state governments on Wednesday to invest more in state-owned polytechnics for efficient operations.

Mr Anderson Ezeibe, President of ASUP, made the call at the start of the Union’s week-long National Delegates Conference in Asaba.

According to Ezeibe, the majority of government-owned polytechnics rely solely on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to function.

“When we returned from strike in June, we were given a document approving the release of N15 billion as revitalisation of the infrastructural fund in lieu of the implementation of the 2014 need assessment reports.”

“Six months later, not a single penny has been released.” When you visit some polytechnics, you will notice that many of them are TETfund institutions, which is why we are discussing how to stop the proliferation of polytechnics.

“If you are not willing to fund the existing institutions, don’t establish more, and don’t establish polytechnics just to attract TETfund,” he said.

Ezeibe criticized the lack of capital expenditure appropriation in many state-owned polytechnics.

“Capital appropriation is virtually non-existent in so many state-owned polytechnics; every single infrastructure is sponsored by TETfund.”

“If you want to establish a polytechnic, keep in mind your people’s educational and technological needs,” he said.

Ezeibe also advocated for the appointment of qualified individuals as polytechnic rectors.

Mrs Francisca Nwafulugo, Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra, also spoke, stating that her administration has created a conducive environment for staff performance.

“Among the accomplishments made thus far is the payment of a large tranch of arrears of earned allowances that we inherited.”

“We also trained over 100 teaching and non-teaching staff for the International Computer Driving License.”

“As stakeholders in the education sector, we owe it to our thronging students to provide quality education,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the week-long Delegate Conference, which was scheduled to take place at the Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra, was held in Asaba.