The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyah Rufa’i has expressed displeasure at the lack of laboratory equipment at the Federal Science Technical College (FSTC), Uyo.
The minister had yesterday inspected the World Bank/Federal Government assisted projects at the college before proceeding to the 17th and 18th joint convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo.
Rufa’i had inspected facilities at biology, chemistry and physics laboratories, ICT centre and woodwork workshop in the college.
“There is no point having laboratories and no equipment for the students to use,” the minister said.
She then directed the authorities of the college to link the college ICT centre with the internet and to allow the students access to the services.
Rufa’i, who said that she was impressed with the performance of the students in woodwork, urged the college authorities to acquaint the ministry with the problems? facing the institution.
The Principal of the college, Mrs. Theresa Nweke, had told the minister that the college had a student population of 810 with 67 teaching staff? and 164 non-teaching workers.
She said that the major challenges of the college included inadequate staff quarters, insufficient student hostels, workshops and laboratory equipment.
Nweke said that the college had no bus to convey the students and staff to events within and outside the state.
She also appealed to the minister to assist the college to complete its renovation projects at Step-B office, physics, chemistry and other laboratories.