EDTF IN COLLABORATION WITH TTRCB, BRIDGE ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL TRAINS (100) TEACHERS IN BAYELSA STATE
The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) in collaboration with Teachers Training Registrarion and Certification Board (TTRCB) and Bridge Academy International has organized a Three (3) day intensive capacity building training programme for 100 teachers (30 Secondary and 70 Primary school teachers) with the Theme, Building Strong Readers, Structured Phonics and Literacy Instructions, aimed at equipping teachers with the requisite knowledge for effective practical teaching in Structured Phonics as well as to strengthen foundation literacy skills among teachers to enhance learning outcomes for children in Bayelsa State.
Speaking during the opening ceremony at the main Auditorium, St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, in Yenagoa, the Executive Secretary of EDTF, Professor, Ebimieowei Etebu said, the collaboration for the training programme was initiated to tackle the challenge of poor foundation of literacy among students.
He explained that, the EDTF within its mandate is committed to support and strengthen the development of education in the State stating that, the training programme will expose teachers to modern teaching techniques through phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary, Phonics, comprehension as well as Structured practice adding that, these strategies will be applied in the classroom to enable pupils develop strong reading outcomes
Professor Etebu expressed gratitude and commended Governor Douye Diri, the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Abraham Ingobere, the House Committee Chairman on Education, Dr. Charles Daniel and the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah for their passionate roles towards the development and transformation of education in the State.
He urged the benefiting teachers to take advantage of the programme and put to best practice the acquired skills through the training.
Declaring the training open, the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir. Simon Peter Okene, expressed appreciation to the EDTF and Bridge Academy International for initiating building Strong Readers and literacy training programme in the State.
The Education Commissioner explained that, many of the students struggle academically without proper understanding and interpretation of examination questions while, emphasized the need for continuous professional development of teachers noting that, language is very central and fundamental in education stating that, no student can perform better academically without understating language instructions and reading skills.
He urged the teachers to take the training seriously to ensure better learning outcomes in the schools.
In their separate goodwill remarks, the House Committee Chairman on Education, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Dr. Charles Daniel and the Executive Chairman TTRCB, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Peremoboere Ugolo, described the training programme as critical and rare intervention that focused on the foundation of learning noting that, teachers are the most valuable drivers for societal development and should be prioritize in the foundation level
In her remarks, the Founder and Lead Educational Consultant, Bridge Academy International, Mabel Joel noted that, literacy is the foundation for communication, access to life long learning, confidence and future opportunities stating that, evidence based literacy instructions will strengthen and transform learning outcomes in the schools.
She used the opportunity to express her appreciation to Governor Douye Diri for his vision and continued support of the EDTF in strengthening literacy across the State while, assuring her willingness to help children discover their reading skills to shape a brighter educational future for Bayelsa State.