‘Polytechnics now offer more arts courses’

Polytechnics in Nigeria have deviated from their original concept of focusing on technical education, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Dr. Lateef Olatunji has said.

He added that polytechnics in the country now do more of arts courses than science and technical oriented courses.

Dr Olatunji canvassed reorientation of the polytechnic education to revitalise nation’s economy development.

The rector told reporters in Offa, Offa local area of Kwara state as part of activities for ninth convocation and 25th anniversary of the institution.

The rector, who said that the development would not help production of engineers and technicians by polytechnics, added that government should attract more funds to polytechnics

“The reason for establishing universities is different from why the polytechnics were set up in the first instance. But unfortunately we’ve mixed the two together in this country. Population of non science students are now more than science students in our polytechnics when you talk about engineering, technical studies and the like. We should change our orientation towards science education.

Most polytechnic institutions have derailed in their educational curriculum as they now do more of art courses rather than core science and technical  oriented courses. We should change our orientation to be able to produce more engineers towards revitalising nation’s socio economic development, instead of encouraging people in arts subjects.

“Federal Government can do more to assist and encourage science and technical oriented courses by pumping more money in the area of science education. For instance, tetfund would do more by giving more financial opportunities to polytechnics rather than the universities as the case is right now. Federal government should attract more funds to technical education”, he said.

He also said that science and technical education would encourage entrepreneurship among youth in the country, adding that entrepreneurship was the key to self reliance and poverty alleviation.

Dr. Olatunji, who said that a total of 6,000 students would graduate during the ninth convocation of the institution, added that his administration had succeeded to block  leakages in financial operations among workers by discouraging frivolous vouchers.

He said that necessary control was being injected by the present administration without a recourse to witch hunting.

The rector identified funding, upgrading of sport facilities and equipment, problems of transportation to and fro its main campus, and uncompleted road construction projects as part of challenges facing the institution.