A one-year embargo on new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics, which are exempted health institutions, has been authorized by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa because of low enrollment issues.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), made this announcement Thursday in Kaduna.
According to Bugaje, the moratorium, which goes into force immediately, means that all new applications for polytechnics and monotechnic would be suspended for a period of 12 months.
“Polytechnics awaiting ministerial approval will be required to pay an application fee of N4 million and a processing fee of N2 million per programme of study.
“Monotechnic, on the other hand, will pay an application fee of N2 million and a processing fee of N1 million per programme of study.
“Applicants have 30 days to pay these fees, failure to which will result in the termination of the registration process.
“New health institutions, which are exempted from the moratorium, will pay the same fees as Monotechnic for registration.”
The measure aims to guarantee that tertiary Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are adequately staffed within their authorized carrying capacity, according to the NBTE executive secretary.