The National Board for Technical Education has responded to concerns raised by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics over the proposed outsourcing of quality assurance activities, assuring stakeholders that the initiative is designed to enhance efficiency rather than commercialise polytechnic regulation.
In a statement released on Sunday by its Head of Media, Fatima Abubakar, NBTE explained that the outsourcing initiative aims to address the increasing challenge of regulating over 800 institutions under its jurisdiction, despite having fewer than 100 programme officers.
ASUP had strongly opposed the proposal, with its President, Shammah Kpanja, arguing that outsourcing quality assurance responsibilities would undermine the credibility and integrity of the accreditation process for technical and vocational education institutions.
However, the NBTE clarified that the outsourcing is limited to physical accreditation exercises for institutions with inadequate ICT infrastructure, allowing them time to upgrade and transition to the board’s digital accreditation platform.
The board emphasised that digital accreditation remains the primary method for quality assurance and is fully under its control.
“The outsourcing model applies only to institutions that cannot access our digital platform. It is structured to maintain transparency, prevent conflicts of interest, and uphold the integrity of the accreditation process,” the statement read.
The NBTE further stated that the initiative was approved by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and aligns with global best practices.
According to the board, the move will enhance efficiency, leverage external expertise, and ensure timely accreditation and reaccreditation processes.
Reaffirming its commitment to stakeholder engagement, the board noted that it had already held discussions with rectors and union leaders earlier in the week.
“The board remains open to constructive dialogue with ASUP, other staff unions, and key stakeholders to refine implementation strategies that align with the best interests of polytechnic education in Nigeria,” the statement added.
Credit: THE PUNCH
