Bayelsa education fund: British Council commence teachers’ training

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa Educàtion Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and British Council started a training session on Monday. They are training 400 primary and secondary school teachers in Bayelsa.

Dr Alice Atuwo, the Executive Secretary of EDTF, spoke at the opening ceremony in Yenagoa. She noted that the training was in collaboration with the British Council. It was also in collaboration with the Teachers Training, Certification and Registration Board (TTRCB).

Atuwo explained that the EDTF was supporting the TTRCB. The board is saddled with the responsibility of developing the capacity of teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

According to her, the TTRCB was responsible for selecting the 400 teachers. The school administrators were drawn from Bayelsa public schools.

She said that the British Council offered to train 1,000 teachers in Bayelsa, out of which 200 beneficiaries have concluded the five-day training in the first batch.

The second batch of 400 teachers brings the beneficiaries to 600.

“Through this collaboration, we will improve teaching methodologies, enhance leadership skills and foster a culture of innovation in our teachers and school leaders.

“The impact of our partnership has and will be significant in improved learning outcomes in increased teacher confidence, and enhanced school leadership.

“For us at the EDTF, we look forward to continuing our partnership, exploring new areas of collaboration, and expanding our reach, going forward.

“To our participants, my message is simply to urge you to listen with rapt attention, engage actively, share your experiences, and learn from one another,” Atuwo said.

Also speaking, Prof Francis Sikoki, Acting Chairman of the EDTF Board, noted that capacity building of teachers who are at the centre of the educational system is fundamental.

According to him, the inclusion of school leaders in the training process as leadership plays a vital role in the learning process.

Declaring the training open. Dr Gentle Emelah, Commissioner of Education in Bayelsa, urged the participants to see the training as an opportunity for self-development to improve their skills in teaching.

Emelah recalled that he started his career as a teacher, rising through the ranks through dedication and challenged the teachers to do likewise and prepare themselves for leadership.

He pledged that the Bayelsa government is poised to introduce technology-assisted learning, adding that the state government was at the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft Corporation to deploy Artificial Intelligence to uplift education in Bayelsa.

In her goodwill message, Dr Stellar Ugolo, who is the Executive Chairman of TTRCB, applauded the EDTF. She also commended the British Council for supporting the training of teachers.

She urged the selected teachers to catch the vision in sharpening their skills to improve learning outcomes in Bayelsa.