Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council to train 1,000 teachers

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council, on Monday, began training the final batch of 400 public school teachers, concluding a joint programme to train 1,000 teachers in the state.

The EDTF, the British Council and the Teachers Training Registration and Certification Board jointly implemented the capacity-building initiative.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five-day programme, Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, reaffirmed the Bayelsa State Government’s commitment to continuous training and professional development for teachers.

He noted that the state’s improved teaching methodologies contributed to Bayelsa producing the best student in the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

Executive Secretary of the EDTF, Prof. Ebiminiowei, said the collaboration aims to improve learning outcomes for pupils in public primary and secondary schools in the state.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact in the hands of the farmer. It is the same with our teachers — they need to be adequately sharpened to deliver quality teaching in their classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for agreeing to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

Chairman of the EDTF Board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education for his support of the Fund. He urged beneficiaries to justify the significant resources invested by the state government by remaining dedicated throughout the training.

“This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual, as we will push the frontiers beyond the box to ensure we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of the Development Partners Committee of the EDTF, Dr Alice Atuwo, applauded the commitment of all partners toward the successful completion of the programme and encouraged them to sustain the momentum.

She also commended the media for its consistent reportage of EDTF activities, which she said has helped shape public perception and support.

Speaking on the programme, Head of English and Schools at the British Council, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, noted that the Bayelsa government has demonstrated exemplary commitment to education.

He said the dedication shown by the state has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa to achieve within one year what takes other states up to three years.

Daniel explained that the British Council has made its resources available to Bayelsa, with 60 resource persons already trained, and plans to cascade knowledge to other teachers across the state.

The training, he said, will focus on modern teaching methods, the use of digital tools for self-development, and improved access to learning.

Acting Chairman of the TTRC, Dr Peremoboere Ugolo, whose board facilitated aspects of the training, thanked the EDTF for supporting teacher development with world-class British Council resources.

She added that another batch of newly recruited teachers is currently undergoing training at the government-owned University of Africa, Toru-Orua, in Sagbama Local Government Area.