FG bans registration of new polytechnics, monotechnics for one year

A one-year embargo on new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics has been agreed by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education.

However, he exempted medical facilities because of difficulties with low enrolment.

This was said in a statement released Thursday in Kaduna by Prof. Idris Bugaje, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education.

According to Bugaje, all new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics are suspended for a period of 12 months due to the moratorium, which goes into force immediately.

However, he stated that in order to proceed with the registration procedure, the institutions that are presently being evaluated will have to pay certain fees.

According to him, "Polytechnics that are awaiting ministerial approval will have to pay a processing fee of N2 million per program of study and an application fee of N4 million."

However, for each program of study, Monotechnics will pay a processing charge of N1 million and an application cost of N2 million.

"Applicants have 30 days to pay these fees; if they don't, the registration process will be terminated."

"The same registration fees as Monotechnics will be paid by new health institutions, which are not subject to the moratorium."

The measure aims to guarantee that higher Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions are adequately staffed within their authorised carrying capacity, according to the NBTE executive secretary.