The management of the College of Education IIorin, on  Sunday appealed to the Federal Government to allow state colleges of education to offer degree programmes in the country.

The Provost of the college, Dr. Isiaka Opobiyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the programme would be  necessary because of the large number of Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) holders yet to obtain university degrees.

He said if the degree programme was approved, it would cater for shortage of teachers in secondary schools.

"The award of degrees programme by state colleges of education will enable NCE graduates to obtain degrees in an education discipline," the provost said.

Opobiyi added that the government on the other hand could affiliate state colleges of education to universities closer to them for the award of degrees.

He said the measure would improve the standard of teaching, which would bring about qualitative education.

The provost advised students to pursue courses that would make them self-employed after graduation, instead of seeking white collar jobs that were no longer forthcoming.

He advocated for more funds for the colleges to enable them to give out their best at all times. (NAN)