(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/coat-of-arms2.gif) Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike said that the Federal Government has granted approval for immediate employment of about one thousand teachers of Mathematics and English Language towards addressing the shortage of teachers in these critical subjects.
The Minister dropped the hint at the National Mathematical Centre, Sheda –Abuja while declaring open the Batch one of a two-week capacity building workshop for mathematics and English teachers in Federal Unity Colleges.
Wike warned the 144 participants of the workshop to justify government's financial commitment to the project and directed the workshop facilitators to conduct an evaluation test at the end of the exercise which would serve as guide for the government as to who is fit to be retained as teachers in these subjects.
According to him, it would not be business as usual for both principals and teachers in Federal Unity Colleges, stressing that sentiments would not be entertained from any quarter in terms of posting and transfers in the colleges. He maintained that the Colleges must uphold their role as standard bearers for secondary education in Nigeria, in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Mac john Nwaobiala attributed the appalling performance of students in Mathematics and English Language partly to poor teaching methods, hence he described the workshop as a step in the right direction.
Director of Basic Education in the ministry, Barrister DC Uwaezuoke commended the Minister for his trail blazing role in reintroducing training programmes for teachers, quoting some of the participants as saying that they never received such training in the last fifteen years.
The Director of National Mathematical Centre Professor ART Solarin said that students' performances have recorded significant improvement in selected pilot schools for mathematics Improvement Project from 43% in 2006 to 77% in 2008, even as he observed that mathematics teacher/ students' ratio still remains 1:350 nationwide.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
Federal Government has done very well with this one. Those two subjects are very important for Nigerian students. Especially when it comes to WAEC.