Ascertaining Measures for Curbing the Dwindling Enrolment into NCE Programmes in Contemporary South-Eastern, Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing fall in enrolment into the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in contemporary Nigeria is worrisome. Against the backdrop, this study seeks to ascertain the causes of the dwindling in South-Eastern Nigeria and find some lasting scholarly solutions to the problem. Primary data are drawn from enrolment records of colleges of education in Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states, and ten administrative staff in each of the colleges, who are engaged in a focus group discussion. Library and internet print materials constitute the secondary data sources. Survey design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and content analysis are employed. The study reveals enrolment into NCE programmes in the three colleges to be: 420–above but less than 500 in 2010-2011; 320-380 in 2012 and 2018; 600-668 in 2013 and 2014; 200-227 in 2019, and below 100 (83-below). The study concludes that the fall in enrolment into NCE in South-Eastern Nigeria has been at its peak or alarming rate since 2018 to 2023. It recommends several measures to curb the dwindling enrolment. Students and graduates of secondary schools with their parents and guardians should be reoriented for changed attitudes towards colleges of education. Governments should disburse finance for sustained public awareness campaigns, education fairs, exhibitions, seminars and media programmes that encourage enrolment into colleges of education. Attractive salaries for teachers and the availability of sufficient digital and analogue learning materials would attract more candidates for admission. Reduced admission cut-off points and regular hybrid publicity are the other solutions.