Bayelsa trains 123 Mathematics teachers in innovative teaching methods
The Bayelsa Educational Development Trust Fund (EDTF) has commenced a four-day training programme to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics across the state.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board (TTRCB) and Australia’s Mathific Pedagogy Academy, will equip 123 mathematics teachers drawn from the eight local government areas with innovative digital teaching strategies.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa Educational Development Trust Fund (EDTF) has commenced a four-day training programme to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics across the state.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board (TTRCB) and Australia’s Mathific Pedagogy Academy, will equip 123 mathematics teachers drawn from the eight local government areas with innovative digital teaching strategies.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Yenagoa on Tuesday, Mr George Ombe, representing the Executive Secretary of EDTF, described mathematics as the foundation of science, engineering, medicine, agriculture and technology.
He said the training was designed to introduce teachers to the Mathific digital learning platform, which promotes conceptual understanding, critical thinking, personalised learning, meaningful context and learner engagement rather than rote memorisation.
According to Ombe, participants will gain access to more than 2,000 curriculum-aligned learning activities, as well as digital tools for monitoring students’ progress and improving classroom instruction.
He urged the teachers to apply the knowledge acquired during the training in their classrooms, stressing that meaningful improvement in learning outcomes depends on their willingness to embrace innovative teaching methods.
Ombe noted that the initiative reflects the Bayelsa State Government’s commitment to human capital development through continuous teacher capacity building. He added that the programme follows a similar training recently organised for English Language teachers and assured participants that EDTF would monitor its impact in schools.
Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, encouraged the participants to embrace lifelong learning to improve the quality of education in the state.
Emelah described mathematics as one of the most important subjects, saying it equips learners with problem-solving skills required for everyday life and future careers.
He urged teachers to make mathematics lessons more engaging and learner-friendly, noting that many pupils develop a fear of the subject because of ineffective teaching approaches.
The commissioner encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the training to boost learners’ confidence and help them overcome their fear of mathematics.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board, Dr Stella Ugolo, described mathematics as the bedrock of innovation and national development.
She noted that the world is becoming increasingly digital and stressed the need for teachers to continually update their skills and knowledge to remain relevant in modern classrooms.
Ugolo described the 123 participants as privileged to be the pioneer beneficiaries of the programme and urged them to make the most of the opportunity.
According to her, the digital teaching approach would replace fear with confidence, making mathematics more attractive and easier for pupils to understand.
She commended the Bayelsa State Government and EDTF for investing in teacher development, expressing optimism that the programme would improve learning outcomes across the state.
Earlier, the representative of Mathific Pedagogy Academy and lead resource person, Mr Ali Munhamin, said the capacity-building programme was designed to equip teachers with game-based digital tools to enhance teaching effectiveness.
He explained that the methodology would improve learning outcomes by creating a more engaging and supportive learning environment for pupils.
Also speaking, Dr Alice Atuwo, Chairman of the EDTF Development Partners Committee, disclosed that participants would be provided with tablets preloaded with educational applications to support classroom instruction.
She added that the teachers would continue the training online for the next year, while EDTF would monitor their progress and evaluate the programme’s impact on learning outcomes in schools across the state.
