A former General-Secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Chief Gabriel Falade, says the upgrade of some Federal Colleges of Education to university status will strengthen education in the country.

Falade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the elevation would also uplift the standard of teachers and put them in better position to impart quality knowledge in students.

He said: "I think it will lift the standard of education, the standard of the teachers themselves. So, the more you are trained, the more you will be able to deliver.

"In developed countries, you have graduates, even Ph.D, teaching in primary schools. But here (Nigeria) when you are teaching it is categorised structurally believing that those who are not up to either bachelors or degree in education they are the only people who could teach in secondary (schools).

"And they are not expected to teach in primary (school); it is wrong; so they should follow what is happening in developed countries where they attach importance to education.

"Even when you have PhD, you can teach in primary school; it doesn’t matter; it depends on the aspect where you specialise."

NAN recalls that earlier in the year, former President Goodluck Jonathan upgraded four Federal Colleges of Education to university status.

The affected colleges were Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Education, Kano; and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri. (NAN)