The Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund, Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo, has stressed the need for training and retraining of teachers to build capacity for quality teaching in the Schools.
According to the Executive Secretary, the training programme which was funded by the EDTF was geared towards enhancing better performance of teachers in the management of schools in the State.
Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo made the remark during the opening ceremony of the 5th batch of teachers training programme conducted by the Teachers Training Registration and Certification Board at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of the State.
The Executive Secretary noted that, the general goal of the Trust Fund was upgrading the standard of education at all level in the State.
She further stated that the Board had sponsored and facilitated the Teacher Training Programme for three consecutive times stressing that 970 persons have benefitted from the Training Programme.
Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Atuwo therefore called on Headmasters, Headmistresses, and Community leaders to develop the passion to give their children qualitative education stating that, it was the best platform to turn around the lives of people to liberate them from abject poverty.
She urged participants who treat their profession with disdain to have an attitudinal change as they remain moulders of the future of children of the State.
Meanwhile, participants of the ongoing teachers training programme at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua have expressed appreciation to the EDTF Board for sponsoring the programme.
In their separate remarks, the Head Teachers Community Primary School 2 Anyamasa in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mr. George Ebokeme, State School Agrisaba, Nembe L.G.A, Baratuaipre Olali, Community Primary School, Anyama-Ebeni in Sagbama L.G.A, Welson Kemenaderekumoh, described the programme as rewarding, refreshing and preparation ground to help them acquire the requisite skills and knowledge for work in their primary areas of assignments.
They commended EDTF for sponsoring the training programme and expressed satisfaction for the overall conduct of the programme noting that they have richly acquired the needed knowledge.
Earlier, Chairman of Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the Board, Professor Francis Sikoki and other Committee members who evaluated the progress level of the programme lauded the Teachers Training Registration and Certification Board for a job well done saying it was worthwhile.
“His words: we welcome and thank your team on behalf of the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund Board for the opportunity to have an interactive session with you all regarding the ongoing Teachers Training Programme. As a Board, we have consistently sponsored these programmes because of the interest we have in teachers training.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the EDTF is familiar with your work. However, we are here today for follow-up and take stock of the number of participants that is attending the programme, note the success and challenges so far”.
Responding to some of the questions from the Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Peremoboere Ugolo, Executive Chairman of the Teacher Training Registration and Certification Board (TTRCB) said, out of the approved 320 participants by the EDTF Board, four (4) persons were rejected for reporting two weeks after the commencement of the exercise.
According to her, six persons were permitted to return home on health ground, while five others were discovered to have been trained previously.
The high point of the meeting was inspection and interactive session with the participants.
