Nationwide re-training of teachers begins

[TGD]

 A MAJOR drive to ensure quality education, especially at the basic levels following the poor performance of the Nigerian pupils in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) tests, begins today as the National Teachers Institute (NTI) launches a programme to re-train primary and junior secondary school teachers nationwide.

According to government, it is also to meet the Education For All (EFA) objective of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Vision 20-20-20.

The training programme will be performed today at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, by the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Nwike.              .

The teachers will participate in the re-training program at 250 designated centres.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of National Teachers Institute (NTI), Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, was quoted as saying that the first phase of the programme will start on September 5 to September 7 at North Central, North-West and South-South zones, while the second phase begins September 12 to September 17 at North-East, South-South and South-West zones.

The programme is sponsored by the Presidency as part of the Federal Government's commitment also in line with the objectives of the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS).

The training will, among others, focus on "four major core subjects in effective English Language, Mathematics and Basic Science and Technology," he said.

"During next year's training, there would be additional subjects to the four subjects mentioned above".

Speaking on mass examination failures, Sharehu said there were some factors that should be looked into.

He stated: "We have to look at the background of the teachers we are training. If the background of the teachers is poor, certainly you cannot expect such teacher to be a quality one.

"Also, if the welfare of the teachers is not well taken care of, there will be limit to quality teaching of such teachers."

He added: "To achieve better education for all, there is need for state governments to collaborate with the Federal Government to improve the education sector.

"There is need to upgrade academic qualification of Nigerian teachers. It is not enough for teachers to have Grade Two certificate or National Certificate of Education (NCE). There is need to motivate teachers to have higher academic qualification as this will improve capacity building," he said.



The Guardian

[emezico]

That's a good step in the right direction. Teachers need to be re-branded, in order to improve the standard of education in the country.