Minna — Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, says 60 percent of teachers in the 19 northern states of the country are not qualified, stressing the need to have more training for them with a view to correcting the trend.

The governor, who announced this while accepting the recommendation of a committee set up to examine the possibility of turning Minna College of Education to a University of Education, did not however disclose what the northern governors are doing to arrest the situation.

The minimum qualification to teach in a school is NCE. If you possess a degree that is not teaching related you have to get a postgraduate diploma in education from National Teachers' Institute (NTI) or any accredited College of Education.

According to the recommendation of the committee set up by Niger government, the university is expected to take off next year with 550 students. The governor therefore directed for the immediate release of N39 million to the implementation committee to enable it to begin its assignment immediately.

He said the state has the capability to manage two universities and the establishment of the university would bring to an end the dearth of qualified teachers in the state.

Chairman of the Council Committee on the Feasibility of Transforming College of Education into a University of Education Professor Daniyan said the panel found out that the project is "not only necessary but fundamentally justifiable."