Category: Uncategorized

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

 

The Lagos State government has activated its digital platforms for teacher training and set up a team of technology professionals to support the process.

Speaking during an orientation on the digital training programme for Grades 08-13 teachers held virtually on the Microsoft Teams platform, the Chairman, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, said that the training was part of efforts by the Commission to transform the post – primary teaching service into a Digital – Smart Workforce.

“Since it is generally accepted that no educational system can rise above the standard of its teachers, the Commission is totally committed to addressing the digital inadequacies of our teachers who are critical to the realisation of this administration’s THEMES Agenda”, she said.

Mrs. Ariyo thanked Microsoft for supporting the training through ATB Techsoft Solutions Limited, to upgrade the teachers’ skills in line with current realities.

On his part, the Country Manager, Microsoft, Mr. Akin Banuso urged the teachers to be committed to the training.

“We are here to support you. I want to encourage you to participate fully in the Programme. The journey and the experiences are all for you. Please, take them seriously,” he said.

Also speaking, CEO, ATB Techsoft Solutions Limited, Mr. Abiodun Atobatele, praised the Lagos State Government for pioneering the training and considering every teacher as ambassadors of the state.

He told the teachers to follow up on the training through the firm’s social media channels on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

“We have opened several channels for you to follow and be abreast of the training. Send your details and you will be allocated a group in our different channels through your activity application and you must take time to read through the guidelines”.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi, urged the teachers to take the programme seriously because Covid-19 pandemic has initiated a “new normal” in the sector that required skills upgrade.

Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

The Lagos State government has activated its digital platforms for teachers training and also set up a team of technology professionals to support the process.

Speaking during an orientation on the digital training programme for Grades 08-13 teachers held virtually on the Microsoft Teams platform, the Chairman, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, said that the training was part of efforts by the Commission to transform the post – primary teaching service into a Digital – Smart Workforce.

“Since it is generally accepted that no educational system can rise above the standard of its teachers, the Commission is totally committed to addressing the digital inadequacies of our teachers who are critical to the realisation of this administration’s THEMES Agenda”, she said.

Mrs. Ariyo thanked Microsoft for supporting the training through ATB Techsoft Solutions Limited, to upgrade the teachers’ skills in line with current realities.

On his part, the Country Manager, Microsoft, Mr. Akin Banuso urged the teachers to be committed to the training.

“We are here to support you. I want to encourage you to participate fully in the Programme. The journey and the experiences are all for you. Please, take them seriously,” he said.

READ ALSO: Parents groan as Lagos schools set fees for online classes

Also speaking, CEO, ATB Techsoft Solutions Limited, Mr. Abiodun Atobatele, praised the Lagos State Government for pioneering the training and considering every teacher as ambassadors of the state.

He told the teachers to follow up on the training through the firm’s social media channels on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

“We have opened several channels for you to follow and be abreast of the training. Send your details and you will be allocated a group in our different channels through your activity application and you must take time to read through the guidelines”.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi, urged the teachers to take the programme seriously because Covid-19 pandemic has initiated a “new normal” in the sector that required skills upgrade.

Gombe State Government says it will recruit psychologists and provide recreational facilities at isolation centres to help patients adjust to the realities of coronavirus while on quarantine.

Mr Ibrahim Kwami, Gombe Commissioner of Information and Culture, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Thursday.

According to him, the action is borne out of government’s effort at ensuring that patients are well taken care of psychologically to cope with the new reality of having to stay in such centres.

“Some patients were saying that they had been incarcerated and no one is taking care of their families back home. This whole issue is not even about their welfare but psychological.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 patients protest hunger on Gombe streets

“If you are even confined in your own home, that psychological feeling is there but now the government is trying to recruit psychologists to be talking to them and counselling them.

“The psychologists will make them understand the reality of COVID-19 for the general good of everyone. We are keeping them to care for them and protect the larger society,’’ he said.

Kwami added that the government would provide all recreational facilities within isolation centres to keep them engaged for proper care and to reduce the risk of community transmission.

He said that while the state government was making efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state, the public should cooperate with the government to fight the pandemic by adhering to health authorities’ directives.

(NAN)

Dettol has launched a new public health information campaign to assess and evaluate claims relating to COVID-19, correct misinformation, challenge misperceptions and debunk common myths.

The new website – www.covid-19facts.com – has been developed as an educational resource in response to the significant global media attention on the spread of COVID-19 and what the World Health Organisation (WHO) described as ‘Infodemic’.

The site provides authoritative and science-based comment on topics such as the transmission of the virus, misinformation about cures, methods to mitigate and protect.

A poll commissioned by Dettol found that 93 percent of people are concerned about the coronavirus outbreak and 67 percent confirmed they are handwashing more often.

As part of its commitment to scientific excellence, Reckitt Benckiser (RB), whose household brands include Dettol, Strepsils, Nurofen, Gaviscon and Durex, is using trusted expert sources from the Economist Intelligence Unit and public health experts to analyse the evidence for and against claims and, where applicable, call out unsubstantiated or incorrect information.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Dettol partners Lagos to educate 50,000 pupils on handwashing

The launch of the website is one of a number of initiatives launched to support, educate and inform by RB and Dettol since the outbreak began, which includes Public hygiene education and donation of products to State Governments in Nigeria.

Commenting on the launch of the site, Dr Bruce Charlesworth, Chief Medical Officer – Health and Hygiene, RB said: “As a company that exists to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world, we have a responsibility to counteract the myths and misinformation in the public domain.

“Our new site tackles prevalent but unsubstantiated myths and enables easy access to trusted information. Working together with public health experts, we can fightback against the ‘Infodemic’.”

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

The African Union (AU) Commission has partnered HP on initiatives to boost e-learning in 55 AU-member countries and reduce the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on school closures.

Representatives of both parties agreed to collaborate during an extra-ordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology held virtually on April 30.

With the youngest population in the world (more than 400 million people aged 15-35), the disruption of schooling affects a very large number of children and young people in Africa.

Elisabeth Moreno, Managing Director and Vice President of HP Africa said HP’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurship (HP LIFE) and BeOnline programmes, could be utilised by ministers to support schools and educators in their distance learning endeavours.

The learning platforms will contribute towards H.E. Moussa Faki Mahammat’s, the Chairperson of the AU, 1 Million By 2021 initiative, which seeks to provide opportunities to young Africans AU member states in the areas of Education, Employment, Engagement and Entrepreneurship (the 4Es).

“Education is a fundamental human right that should be available regardless of a person’s age, class, race, gender or location.  To that end, HP has pledged to enable better learning outcomes for 100 million people by 2025, as well as adding 1 million users to HP LIFE between 2016-25 – a commitment that aligns with the AU’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), which aims to change Africa’s education and training systems to meet the knowledge, competencies, skills, innovation and creativity required to nurture core values and promote sustainable development on a continental level.”

Commissioner of the AUC Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor urged member-countries to make the most of the platforms.

“The partnership with HP will accelerate our education response to Covid-19 especially and have long-term benefits. I implore AU Member States to make the most of these opportunities as this partnership means young people can access educational opportunities at no cost for the rest of this academic year. This partnership speaks directly to H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat’s 1 Million by 2021 initiative by providing educational opportunities which will assist in positioning our youth to venture into the entrepreneurial sector,” she said.

Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

The Provost of Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nzugbe, Anambra State, Dr Ifeyinwa Osegbo said the institution would redouble its efforts on resumption to ensure it covered the lost grounds created by the lockdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Osegbo said this when she led the institution’s delegation to present cartons of sanitizers, handwash, and soaps to the state government as part of its contributions to combat the Covid-19 scourge.

She regretted the disruption of the school’s examinations by the pandemic, but counseled students to be prepared for intensive studies on resumption.

She said, “The last six weeks of vacation occasioned by lockdown has not been easy, although we visit the school twice in a week to maintain skeletal services.

“In fact, we were having exams when the pandemic struck. But we had to key into the lockdown because it is a necessity to save lives. We want to avoid the risk of jeopardizing the lives of the students.

“This is a global challenge which is not peculiar to Nigeria or the state. As the state government is gradually relaxing the lockdown, maybe schools will also open.

“We will tackle our studies with every sense of responsibility that it requires, which means we will double our efforts. I doubt if we’ll have any other holidays immediately we start so we can cover up what we’ve lost,” she said.

The Provost said the donated items, comprising 20 cartons of sanitizers, 10 cartons of handwash and 10 cartons of soap were combination of local and foreign production.

Responding, the secretary to the state government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu thanked the institution for the gesture, assuring that the donation would be judiciously utilized.

Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State government (RSG) has said it is yet to decide on the possibility of online classes for third term for the 2019/2020 academic session for primary and secondary schools.

Commissioner for Education Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, spoke while reacting to an alleged imposition of N50,000 levy on public and  private schopls in the state to be able to hook up to the e-class portal of the  state, said there is no such directives from the state ministry of education to that effect.

Describing the accusation as handiwork of mischief makers, Prof. Ebeku said, the state has not printed any educational material, either in form of CD plate or otherwise for sale to students in the state, urging parents and guardians to ignore such information, insisting that, decision is yet to be reached on whether or not third term classes in the state will resume online, as the government is yet to resolve some critical issues that could affect smooth holding of online classes in the state to the benefit of all.

He said: “The attention of the Rivers State Ministry of Education has been drawn to a fake news being peddled on social media by mischief makers, that the Ministry has ordered public and private schools in the state to pay the sum of N50,000 each for online classes and also directed the purchase of DVDs by pupils and students at the cost of N1, 200, only.

“The ministry wants to state categorically that the said information is false and should be discountenanced.

“We have not at any time issued any of such directive, formally or informally.

“The ministry has no CD to sell, won’t sell any of such and has not authorised anyone to sell such to pupils and students”.

“Consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing on the issue of feasibility of online resumption for third term, and the ministry has only advised schools to check the UBEC website and use free online platform for their teaching.

“The general public is  strongly advised to ignore the said directives, as they do not reflect the position of the Rivers State Ministry of Education.

“People should please cross-check information before publishing, be rest assured that the Ministry of Education, as a responsible Sstate agency, will not give insensitive or irresponsible directives”.he concluded.

Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Reactions have continued to trail Anambra State government directives on school resumption without pupils.

The Governor, Chief Willie Obiano had directed civil and public servants in the state, including primary and secondary school teachers resume work on Monday after a six-week holiday occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor, through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, however said pupils should remain at home, but follow Anambra Teaching on Air through ABS radio, ABS TV and ABS online platforms.

In view of the directive, Anambra State Education policymakers met to discuss the way forward in the post-COVID-19 academic session, including the reasons for the reopening of schools without students.

Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha said teachers were asked to resume preparing the schools in line with the necessary COVID-19 protocol before the return of pupils.

She directed the teachers to ensure the schools were disinfected and to observe social distancing in arranging lockers and chairs.

According to Omenugha, the protocol requires minimizing person to person contacts.

The meeting also resolved to adopt blended learning, using face- to-face and online teaching methods, as well as the free online teaching applications sent in by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Teachers were also mandated to wear face mask, or risk not being allowed entry into the school to ensure COVID-19 protocol compliance in schools.

Stakeholders in the education system have however expressed reservation over the decision, describing it as counterproductive.

They called on government to reconsider the decision.

A primary school teacher, who preferred anonymity, said the directive would only amount to unnecessary waste of money on transportation.

“I wonder what I will be going to the school to do as a primary school teacher while the pupils remain at home.

“Maybe the government wants us to waste our salaries on unnecessary transportation,” she said.

A lecturer, Dr. Alex Ogujo, said though government may have reasons for reopening schools, but argued that it was illogical to ask teachers and other support staff in the school system to resume work while pupils remained at home.

“They may have their own reasons. But for me, I don’t think the logic is sound. Asking teachers and other support staff to return to work while students will be absent from class is like telling the traders and market people to open market and at the same time restricting buyers from going to their shops,” he said.

Another lecturer, Dr. Festus Onuegbu added: “Teachers without the students don’t make up a school. My opinion is that everybody should stay back, until a full directive is given for total school resumption.”

On her part, Idara Hanson, also a university teacher advised that the teachers asked to resume be subjected to COVID-19 test to ensure none is infected.

She said: “I don’t think it is purpose driven asking teachers to resume work while students are at home. Except they will insist they be subjected to COVID-19 test. Otherwise, it will be unsafe to ask them to resume.”

A parent, Mrs liian Adani, said government was not considerate by asking pupils to follow Anambra Teaching On Air through ABS radio, ABS TV and ABS online platforms as not all students have access to virtual learning.

A secondary school student, who simply identified himself as Kosiso, said he saw no reason for teachers to resume when students are at home.

“I feel sad that I’ve been out of school for so long, though for reason beyond everyone. But I don’t see any good reason why the government will ask teachers to return to work while we students are asked to remain at home,” she noted.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Many Nigerians have groaned about the inconvenience of the lockdown initiated by the Federal Government to check the spread of the COVID-19, especially its effect on income-generating activities. However, some academics say the lockdown has had a positive effect on the economy.

The dons who are members of the Crawford University research team noted that the lockdown not only helped limit the spread of the virus but provided opportunities for people to rest, reduce the time they would have spent in traffic commuting to and from work, as well as bond with their families.

The team led by Prof. Comfort Omorogbe, Director, School of Part-Time Studies, Crawford University, Igbesa, noted in the paper that the lockdown could be used to prepare for a fruitful future.

The paper reads: “The lockdown is no doubt a sacrifice today for a better tomorrow and so should be obeyed. There are many benefits to be derived from the total lockdown irrespective of its debilitating effects. For instance, how many of us would have had this ample time to rest from work or business? Many are tied to their businesses and tight work-schedules that they hardly have time for rest or leave/leisure. Some persons are currently released from traffic pressure of 365days. The lockdown definitely helped in improving health conditions, body rejuvenation and longevity, especially with little exercises around the homes. The pertinent question however, is: how can we make the stay-at-home experience pleasurable and productive? We strongly believe that the lockdown period is a time to sow for a rewarding future.  It is a time to think about things you would not have had time to do, if you were to pursue your business, work or formal schooling.”

The dons also suggested economic activities Nigerians could engage in while stuck at home that could earn them an income – including gardening, poultry farming, and online businesses, among others.

They said: “Do you have a small space around your house? If yes, make a small garden on the ground or a vertical garden on an interlocked ground (using sand-buckets and damned PVC pipes);  plant pepper and tomato seeds, bitter leaf stems, pumpkin seed (Ugwu) spinach seed (green vegetable), etc..

“On the other hand, you can rear chicks in a small corner; feed them with blended maize or anything you eat. The beauty of this is that, you wake up every morning busy inspecting, nursing and monitoring your small farm; happy and hopeful to see how they turn out their yields in a short period!

Learn new ideas and skills from free online platforms depending on your interest areas. For some, they could start off with a skill-acquisition online lecture at a very small fee; and for students who have the ambition to further their studies abroad; they could spend this time learning foreign languages online for free in order to broaden their search access and success.

“Advertise your businesses online, it is an investment for better yield tomorrow. You can even create your own blog and expose what you can do for the world to queue in. The advantage of this lies in the widened network you will build now that becomes useful after the lockdown.”