The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has strongly advised the Federal Government to reconsider its policy requiring tertiary institutions to remit 40% of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the federal treasury, particularly concerning Colleges of Education.
The union has issued a cautionary note, stating that the implementation of this policy would ultimately impact the parents of students enrolled in these institutions. COEASU expressed concerns about the adverse effects on teacher education as a result of the policy, alleging that its conception was a deliberate attempt to undermine the current government.
Dr. Smart Olugbeko, the National President of COEASU, emphasized that the new directive would compel College Provosts to raise student fees to cater to essential services, leaving them with no alternative. The union clarified that the funds collected by the Colleges are not classified as IGR, but rather as charges aimed at supporting specific services not provided by the government.
Additionally, COEASU urged the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional duty of socially responsible funding for Colleges of Education. The union voiced disappointment over the government’s initiative to transform these institutions into revenue-generating centres at a time when there is a pressing need for increased investment in teacher education and financial support for students pursuing education.
The statement from COEASU further underscored the potential repercussions of the Colleges’ inability to provide essential facilities and services, highlighting the adverse impact on the quality of education and the well-being of students.
Addressing the matter, the statement read: “Our Union expresses serious reservations regarding the Federal Government’s directive for Federal Colleges of Education to remit 40% of their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) to the Federal Treasury. This directive lacks foundation when applied to Colleges of Education, as the revenues collected primarily constitute nominal charges designated for specific services such as student identity cards, health clinic services, hostel maintenance, laboratory equipment, teaching practice, and consumables.”
“This decision represents another blow to teacher education. While there is a growing call for increased funding and support for education students, the government’s policy aims to pivot Colleges of Education towards revenue generation.”
“The government allocates an average of N8 million monthly to the Federal Colleges for their operations, with irregular disbursement causing significant operational challenges.”
Emphasizing the potential repercussions, COEASU cautioned that the policy could lead to student withdrawals and urged the Federal Government to exempt Colleges of Education from the 40% IGR remittance. The union reiterated that the funds collected by the Colleges are not strictly IGR, but rather charges intended to support specific services not provided by the government, reaffirming the government’s responsibility to enhance its funding for Colleges of Education.
