The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has rejected a proposed policy that would exempt candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by JAMB.
The union says the proposal, if implemented, could weaken admission standards and undermine efforts to improve the quality of teacher education in Nigeria. It aligned with the position of the national leadership of the union, urging the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education to reconsider the plan.
Kaduna NUT Chairman Ibrahim Dalhatu and Secretary Adamu Ayuba Kaltungo described the exemption as counterproductive, warning that it could reduce competitiveness in the admission process and damage the perception of teaching as a professional career.
They argued that teaching is a highly intellectual profession that requires rigorous academic screening, stressing that removing JAMB as an entry requirement could wrongly suggest that education colleges are meant for less academically capable candidates.
The union further noted that countries with strong education systems attract top-performing students into teaching, and Nigeria should strengthen its standards rather than lower them.
It warned that the proposal could reverse ongoing reforms aimed at improving professionalism in the teaching sector, including efforts by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
Instead, the NUT called on government to focus on improving teacher welfare, offering scholarships and incentives, and ensuring strict merit-based admissions.
The union also urged full implementation of existing education reform laws to address challenges within the sector and strengthen teacher training nationwide.
