By Murtala Ahmad Mustapha
The National Boad for Technical Education NBTE has organized a one-day workshop for staff of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on Open, Distance and Flexible e- learning, (ODFel) as part of preparation for the commencement of the programme at the institution.
ODFel is an educational system that allows people to study without necessarily attending a traditional classroom every day, providing opportunities for students to learn at their own pace, place, and convenient time.
The programme was introduced by the NBTE to expand access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Director NBTE Northeast Zonal Office Engineer Abba Dan’mowa explained that the transformation of technical vocational education and training requires flexibility and inclusivity in the use of technology for effective teaching and learning.
Dan’mowa who said the success of the programme at the polytechnic would depend largely on the capacity and commitment of the staff, stressing the need for academics to develop skills to enhance their online learning experience for smooth conduct of the programme.
He urged the management of the polytechnic to provide the necessary policies, infrastructure, and flexibility in programme delivery.
In a remark, the Rector of the Polytechnic Alhaji Sani Usman described the open, distance and flexible e-learning programme as a significant step which marks another importance milestone in the institution’s commitment to expanding access to quality technical and vocational training.
Alhaji Sani Usman represented by the Deputy Rector Dr Usman Dutse listed the beneficiaries of the programme to include civil servants, business owners as well as entrepreneurs and young women in rural areas who are unable to leave their families to persuade higher education.
He assured the NBTE of the polytechnic commitment to becoming the first in the northeast sub region to implemente the programme through strengthening the capacity in digital content development to achieve the set objectives.