The Edo State Polytechnic Usen has been granted official approval by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to commence its Open Distance Flexible e-Learning (ODFeL) programs, including Mass Communication and three other academic programmes.
In a correspondence addressed to the institution and personally signed by NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Bugaje, this authorization comes as a recognition of the institution’s expressed interest in Open and Distance Flexible e-Learning. It follows a meticulous audit inspection carried out by a team from the Board at the institution.
The letter mentions that this approval is limited to specific programs, namely Mass Communication, Computer Science, Accountancy, and Business Administration. Moreover, the Polytechnic must adhere strictly to the National TVET Policy and Strategy concerning ODFeL.
In response to NBTE’s approval for commencing ODFeL in these four departments, the Polytechnic’s Rector, Engr. Omoruyi Sylvester, extended his gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaeski, for his unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education delivered by the institution. He underscored that the Governor’s educational reforms are already yielding positive results at the Polytechnic.
Engr. Omoruyi proudly stated that the Polytechnic is renowned as a foremost centre of academic excellence among the various educational institutions in Nigeria. The institution remains steadfast in its dedication to fostering progressive initiatives that facilitate effective learning among its students.
The Rector expressed his appreciation to NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Bugaje, and the entire NBTE staff for their invaluable support and cooperation, which have contributed significantly to the Polytechnic’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in education.
With this approval, the Polytechnic is tasked with further enhancing its existing interactive online Learning Platform for ODFeL. This involves the provision of necessary tools and resources for effective education delivery and management. The learning platform will include monitoring tools accessible to NBTE, ensuring 24/7 support systems for students. Additionally, it will provide essential information, such as the total number of instructional hours per course per semester, enrollment records for each program per session, and gender-based enrollment statistics. Other crucial data to be made available on the e-learning platform will include records of student and teacher online attendance, anonymous feedback from students per course, and the provision of teaching materials for each program.
However, the letter specifies that all practical sessions and examinations should continue to be conducted using the traditional face-to-face mode.