The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) says it will begin the clampdown on some existing illegal education colleges.

Paulinus Okwelle, the commission’s executive secretary, disclosed this at a news conference to herald its national summit in Abuja.

He added that the NCCE observed the proliferation of illegal colleges of education and study centres.

“This problem was discussed at the last meeting of the National Council on Education in Jalingo sequel to which we embarked on a special verification exercise,” said Mr Okwelle. “This exercise is to identify and close down the existing illegal colleges and NCE study centres in the country. The reports have been harmonised and will soon be forwarded to the Minister of Education for consideration and further directive.”

Mr Okwelle added that the dwindling students’ enrollment was a major concern vis-a-vis the colleges’ low carrying capacity despite adequate human and material resources.

He also mentioned a constant need to ensure the revamping of the NCE programme for quality education.

Mr Okwelle urged education colleges to clear backlogs of unissued NCE certificates as 63,554 NCE certificates had been sealed for onward delivery to final year students.

(NAN)