Life-changing training programme transforms education in north-east Nigeria
An ambitious training programme for teachers in north-east Nigeria is improving the quality of teachers and boost learning outcomes of children
Ezekiel Jacob stands impressively at over six feet tall. But on Saturday, February 4, the young man who teaches at a public school in Yola, north-east Nigeria stood 10 inches taller. Decked in a green graduation gown, with a hat to match, the thirty-year-old was among 18,367 teachers newly certified, inducted and licensed into the teaching profession in Nigeria.
The excitement of the young teacher is not misplaced.
“I have been teaching for nine years without the minimum level of qualification required,’’ said Ezekiel. “I had financial challenges and could not register for further courses to improve on my qualification. I was stuck on that level for years and it remained a source of worry for me,’’ he added.
The challenge is not unique to Ezekiel. Across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in north-east Nigeria, only one in 3 schools have teachers with the minimum level of teaching qualification. This has contributed to the challenges of access to education, poor education service delivery and children’s learning outcomes.
However, a special training programme of the Government of Nigeria, delivered through the Federal Ministry of Education, the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), is changing the narrative.
Facilitated by UNICEF and funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Accelerated Funding (AF), the training programme which ran on two tracks – the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and the Postgraduate Diploma of Education (PGDE) – was targeted at 28,000 unqualified teachers already working in the education system in north-east Nigeria.
Ezekiel who recently completed the programme and passed the qualifying examinations, said his teaching approach has been greatly impacted.
Now I am able to understand learners and support them. For instance, I now recognized that not every child in a classroom will learn at the same pace. A class will normally have fast learners, slow learners and average learners. I have been equipped with the knowledge and capacity to teach all children with the right materials,’’ he said.
The lanky young man said he is now a more motivated and prepared teacher. “Unlike before now when I had no idea of how to prepare lesson plans on manage the classroom, I have been provided with skills in classroom management and the preparation of effective lesson plans. I have also observed the positive impact on my learners,’’ said Ezekiel.
While speaking at the induction ceremony, the Director General, NTI, Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, said the programme and the ensuing impact will encourage more states in the country to train unqualified teachers.
“This programme was aimed at improving equality in access with a focus on fundamental and transferrable skills. It will reduce the number of out-of-school children and establish a robust teacher recruitment system. It is interesting to note that that the positive impact of this training is already manifesting. I am sure that the learning outcomes in these states will improve,’’ he said.
