Not fewer than 250 technical teachers and instructors in the North-East subregion have been trained on digital literacy, pedagogy, and trade specifics by the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank.
The training was under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project executed in partnership with the World Bank.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-week training on Saturday in Gombe, Anthony Aboki, Chairman of the Human Resource Strategy Committee IDEAS, said that the training had exposed participants to emerging trends of globalization for economic viability in relevant skills. He also mentioned that the decision to conduct the training was informed by the ability of technical and vocational teachers to equip individuals with practical skills.
Anthony Aboki expressed confidence that the collective knowledge and expertise of the participants would help the technical colleges meet the challenges in the future.
He noted that there was a severe shortage of technical teachers in the region, and most of the teachers who attended the training have never attended any training since they joined the service.
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He further recommended training and retraining of the teachers to enable them to build their capacity, which in turn would benefit the entire society.
He challenged them to be catalysts of change and innovation in their classrooms and society, saying that “Without digital skills, you cannot function in today’s world.”
The National Coordinator of the project, Blessing Ogwu, said that the participants were taught a lot of improvisation because they were not encouraged to wait for the government to do everything for them.
Blessing Ogwu, who was represented by Mrs. Annah Masinga, the National Consultant IDEAS, cited examples with schools in rural areas that have no adequate facilities.
They were taught to use what they have at their disposal. “For example, in the Home Economics department, if they don’t have gas, they can use a stove with a pot and sand inside, and they will still bring out an excellent cake and also make popcorn without a popcorn machine,” she said.
She also emphasized the need for equipping and adequately funding the Technical and Vocational Colleges to make them functional.
Mrs. Aishatu Maigari, Commissioner of Education, Gombe State, said Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State is passionate about industrialization, hence the establishment of an Industrial park.
She said Gombe is working tirelessly to ensure that its citizens become technically-oriented whether in school or out of school.
