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Cross River Institute plans retraining for 500,000 teachers

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The newly established Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), in Biase, Cross River State, which kicked off last year is set to be a leading teacher educational institution in Nigeria with capacity to retrain 500,000 Primary and Secondary School teachers in Nigeria.


As part of efforts to boost teacher education and improve the quality of teachers in the country, TCTI was established by the Cross River State Government heralding Governor Ben Ayade in year 2020.

Pioneer Director-General of the Institute, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, gave the indication and at the opening ceremony of a 3-day workshop organized by the Institute for 1400 principals of both public and private secondary Schools in Cross River State.

Deputy Governor of the State, Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu who declared the workshop open in Biase, expressed great satisfaction with the quality of teacher development efforts of the institute .

”The siting of the institute in Biase local government has also changed the socio-economic narratives of the local community,” he said.

The Deputy Governor, a former minister and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar further charged the principals as the custodians of the teaching workforce to encourage all teachers in the state to fully participate in the various retraining programmes of the World acclaimed Institute.

In an interview with reporters after the opening ceremony, Prof Adedoja, an internationally renowned educationist and a former Minister for Sports and Special Duties further disclosed that TCTI Biase has also established a mobile workshop and training unit that is fully equipped for retraining programmes in any urban or rural centers in the country.

“Scores of visitors and international organizations come to TCTI Biase frequently to appraise our facilities with the state-of-the-art Digital learning environment required for the 21st century teacher reskilling initiatives”.

The State Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr Godwin Amank charged teachers in the state to avail themselves of the opportunities for retraining readily available in TCTI Biase, while the Head of Service , Mr Timothy Abang Akwaji announced that henceforth evidence of attendance of retraining in Biase will be counted in career progression for Principals and Teachers in the State.

The Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Chief Offu Aya, in his remarks said that SUBEB and TCTI were natural partners in teacher retraining programmes and that SUBEB training programme for teachers would be domiciled in TCTI Biase.

Key stakeholders that presented goodwill messages at the opening ceremony of the workshop organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Quality Education were; Hon Mrs Ada Charles Egwu Biase Local Government council chairperson , Comrade Gregory OLayi, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers Cross River State, and Dr Noah Ashibi of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

His HRM. Onun Apostle Nicolas Odum, the Paramont ruler of Biase Local Government council thanked the Executive Governor of the State, Prof Ben Ayade for making the Biase local government community a beneficiary of the laudable socio economic programme of the state.

Two other phases of the workshops for Principals will be held in Ikom, for the Central and at Ogoja for the Northern District respectfully .

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Education

Don urges teachers to learn, deploy AI tools in teaching

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By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Professor Kehinde Victoria Fatokun, a Professor of Science Education, has called on teachers to adapt to changes, learn and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the teaching profession.

Prof. Fatokun made the call at the 18th Inaugural Lecture series of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) as part of her advocacy for resourceful teaching and productive learning.

The Inaugural Lecture had the topic: “Transforming Chemistry Instructional Practices: Navigating through Resolving Learning Intricacies and Integration of Innovative Pedagogy.”

She said that the world was evolving as methods and procedures continue to change with innovations and technological breakthroughs adding that the teaching profession should also adopt new technologies including the Artificial intelligence tools.

The Professor of Science Education called for the development of intensive research and knowledge transfer culture, permeating all teaching and learning activities.

She said that the development of appropriate skills in students should be paramount and learning should be made appealing to them, in order to produce competent graduates.

Prof. Fatokun stressed that Educational research findings on current pedagogical issues should not be ‘kept in the shelf’ but be made available to the ‘implementer’ in an applicable manner for solving most of the instructional challenges they often encounter.

The former HoD, Department of Science Education, Anchor University, Lagos, tasked Curriculum developers and Authors to strive at tackling issues of “difficult concepts” during curriculum reviews with the application of novel approaches.

She suggested that emphasis should be placed on simplifying instruction to demystify misconceptions while there should be flexibility in adapting the curriculum content to the global trend.

“Published books should be clear, simple to understand and all ambiguity that create additional learning concerns should be removed”, she urged.

She however urged the FUL Management team to organize workshops for all teaching staff with the aim of familiarizing them with innovations in teaching especially the use of modern techniques and learning technologies for their pedagogical skill development.

She charged the Quality assurance directorate to ensure proper monitoring of academics through specific metrics to ensure quality teaching.

Prof. Fatokun charged students to be intentional about learning, not just cramming and passing examinations adding that conscious effort should be made henceforth to ensure understanding and retention to aid the application of the knowledge gained.

Speaking earlier, the
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi noted that the Inaugural Lecture series of the University had become “a beacon of intellectual discourse and academic excellence, showcasing the groundbreaking research and innovative thinking of our academic Staff.”

He described the Lecture topic, “Transforming Chemistry Instructional Practices: Navigating through Resolving Learning Intricacies and Integration of Innovative Pedagogy,” as both timely and apt.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that in navigating the complexities of modern education, the need to evolve teaching methodologies that would better address the diverse learning needs of students had never been more pressing.

“In the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, the integration of innovative pedagogy is crucial for preparing our students to meet the demands of the future”, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor who declared the Lecturer as “Discharged and Acquitted” after the delivery, described the 18th Inaugural Lecture as much a celebration of Prof. Fatokun’s achievements as it is “a testament to her collective contributions.” (Ends)

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Education

Inculcate critical thinking, Inspire, guide your Students – Poland Ambassador tasks teachers

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By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Ambassador Joanna Tarnawska has called on teachers to encourage critical thinking, inspire and guide their students or listeners to become innovative problem solvers.

Tarnawska made the call as a Guest Lecturer at the 6th Distinguished Public Lecture of Federal University Lokoja titled: “How to Effectively Pass Knowledge and Inspire Students in the Contemporary World.”

The Guest Lecturer said gone are the days when teachers were seen as encyclopedia and repository of knowledge. saying, “A teacher is not an encyclopedia anymore, a teacher is a book mark, a beacon who points to the relevant paragraph.”

Tarnawska stressed that teachers must be well grounded and knowledgeable in their respective disciplines, and urged them to guide, teach on how best to gather information and get the gist.

She said, “Know your subject matter and be ready to deepen your knowledge continuously, Know your audience, adapt your language and content to the listeners.

The Envoy said that with the influx and abundance of information with the world turned a global village, it is important to know the authentic from the fake and safekeep facts, especially now that everything can be checked online.

“Encourage questions, building an atmosphere of trust will be helpful to achieve this. Modern lessons should not only be teacher centered, Keep a balance and make time for student centered lessons.

“Never ask the question, “Do you understand?”, instead, ask questions to check your students understanding, always give practical examples,
be engaging and make sure your listeners are following you”, she said.

Speaking earlier in his address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, commended Ambassador Joanna Tarnawska for the promptness with which she accepted to deliver the Distinguished Public Lecture.

Prof. Akinwumi noted that the topic of the lecture, “How to Effectively Pass Knowledge and Inspire Students in the Contemporary World” is not just timely but imperative.

He said, “In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, societal transformations, and global interconnectedness, the role of education transcends mere dissemination of facts.

“It therefore behoves upon us to instill in our students a hunger for knowledge, a love for learning, and a sense of purpose that extends beyond classroom boundaries.”

The Professor of History said as Vice-Chancellor of the esteemed institution, he was keenly aware of the profound impact that effective teaching and inspirational mentorship can have on the lives of our students.

Akinwumi urged all stakeholders to reflect on how we can collectively shape the future of Education, and recommit to the noble pursuit of empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.

He enjoined all to embrace the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and lifelong learning as we listen to the lecture together. (Ends)

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Education

22 NTIC students to participate in 3-day NMC’s Olympaid Camp

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The National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has selected 22 students of the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) to participate in a 3-day Olympiad Camp.

The Olympiad competition covers subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Arts, Music, Literature, History, Culture, Information Communication Technology among others.

The Managing Director NTIC, Feyzullah Bilgin, in a statement on Tuesday said, “In a remarkable display of academic prowess, 22 students from Nigerian Tulip International Colleges in Nigeria have been handpicked by the prestigious National Mathematical Centre (NMC) to participate in a rigorous 3-day Olympiad Camp.

“The selection of these bright minds not only highlights their exceptional mathematical abilities but also underscores the dedication and commitment they have shown towards their education.”

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