Education most powerful tool for growth, sustainable development –Mamman
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has stated that education remains the driving force and most powerful tool that will bring the changes required for growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Minister made the statement in Abuja, at the flag-off of a workshop for the teacher educators on Strengthening Teachers’ English Proficiency’ (STEP) and Innovative Digital Literacy, jointly organised by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and The British Council.
The Minister, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, thus stressed the importance attached to education and human capital development by the government, thus soliciting the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to the cause of achieving the desired goals.
He said: “Let’s be reminded that, education in all its forms and at all levels is not only an end in itself but it’s one of the most powerful instruments we have for bringing about the changes required to achieve growth and sustainable development.
“This vision of education emphasized a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach to developing the knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable future, as well as the necessary changes in values, behaviour and lifestyles.
“The vision further require us to re-orient education systems, policies and practices to empower everyone to make decisions and act in ways that are culturally appropriate and locally relevant to address the problems threatening our common future.
“But for this common vision to be achieved, having quality and effective teachers in our classrooms is imperative. In this regard, teachers’ pedagogical, communicative, and digital skills will, to a very large extent, determine students’ learning outcomes.
“I do not doubt in my mind that this was what informed the NCCE and British Council joint workshop on Strengthening Teachers’ English Proficiency (STEP), Strengthening Teachers Resourcefulness in Digital Education (STRIDE) and Supporting Pedagogical Rigor in Networking Teaching (SPRINT).”
Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, in his remarks, explained that the innovative three-prong approaches were specifically designed to develop teachers’ ability in the key areas of pedagogy, the principle of technology and the use of technology, to deliver blended and purely online training where such demand is necessary.
He said: “The ability to navigate digital tools and platforms in the rapidly changing world is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Strengthening teachers’ digital skills, and teaching methodologies, engaging the students more effectively, and preparing them for a world where digital competency is crucial becomes easier.
“Based on the foregoing, this workshop on STEP and drontal literacy is aimed at improving communication proficiency in the use of the English language by teachers and also promoting the culture of dental literacy in curriculum facilitation.
“With this training, the quality of leamers’ outcomes will surely improve as the preservice teachers will be equipped with new skills that are likely to transform their teaching techniques, approaches, and pedagogy.
“It is expected that in the next few weeks, 300 Master Trainers would have been trained across the six geo-political zones in the country. A cluster centre in each of the zones will host the training of 50 educators who are to cascade the same in their various colleges of education.”
Prof. Egbe Bassey from the British Council, in his remarks, appreciated the efforts and collaborations with NCCE, and assured the government that the Council will continue to support any cause that will improve Nigeria’s education system.
