FG set to probe 47 tertiary institutions, release list of probe panels

Victoria Ogunrinde

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the probing of 25 federal polytechnics and 21 colleges of education thus released the list of the visitation panels to the various institutions.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the visitation panels to polytechnics had five members and a secretary.

“The panels have six weeks from the date of commencement of sittings to submit their reports to the government,” Adamu said.

According to the minister, the terms of reference of the VPs included examining the relationship between the institution and the various statutory bodies it interacts with, according to its law, for the purposes of supervision, planning, finance, discipline and guidance.

Such bodies include the governing board, the supervising agency and the Federal Ministry of Education.

The terms of reference include examining the quality of the leadership of the institution in terms of the role of the Governing Board, the head of institution and other principal office; examining the financial management of the institution over the recommended period and determine whether it was in compliance with appropriate regulations; and investigating the application of funds, particularly the special grants and loans meant for particular projects in order to determine the status of such projects and their relevance for further funding.

Others are to “examine all academic programmes, policies and practices as well as the total academic and physical development, performance and direction of the institution and advise as to whether the desired targets have been met and how modifications may be made to achieve maximum academic productivity, excellence and service to the nation.

“Study the general atmosphere of the institution over the period in question. In particular the general conduct and comportment of all personnel of the institution especially staff, students and managers and advise as to whether the correct training is being given and how necessary corrections may be made. This should include the relationship between the institution and the host community over the period.

“Study in detail the management structure and performance of the institution including fiscal, administrative, personnel and welfare policies and advise on ways to cut cost, reduce waste and continue to develop, if necessary by adaptation, rather than expansion in the face of attenuated resources.

“Examine the law establishing the institution and consider in what ways the law has been observed in all ramifications by the competent authorities and suggest any necessary modifications to the law in order to enable the institution achieve its objectives better; and

“Advise on any and all other aspects of the institution that you may consider should be of interest to both the visitor and the public; and to the attainment of the objectives for which the institution was set up.”