The Nation Newspaper

Tag: teachers

  • Learner-friendly device for teachers, pupils

    A software which demystifies learning between pupils and teachers has been demonstrated to heads of schools, proprietors and directors of learning.

    Either in school or at home, learners have unfettered access to their teachers or facilitators through a tap on the button on the digital device.

    Dynamiss, a digital learning solutions firm, and facilitator of the device tagged ‘LP365, said the software could only be installed on request by interested schools, which eventually get by through a username and a password.

    Dynamis Country Director Lolu Elegbe  spoke during a conference tagged: ‘Digital education and IT funding, which was held at Classique Events Centre in Oregun, Lagos.The event was organised in conjunction with Microsoft.

    Elegbe said the application could be most ideal during emergency.

    “For example during the time of Ebola, students who were sent home could have continued their studies at their various homes,” Elegbe said.

    According to him, the initiative behind LP365 is to drive digital learning in Africa.  “We know that Nigeria and most of Africa is not where they are supposed to be in terms of digital learning; so we are trying to bridge that gap in terms of where we are and where we are supposed to be.

    “We have to make sure that we are sending them (graduates) out with the right digital skills that they need in the global market,” he added.

    He said reception by Nigerians to the device has been dramatic.

    “(Initially), We had some level of scepticism as we felt Nigeria is not ready, but when we started to tell people what we are doing, why we are doing it and show them the application, the response we get has been encouraging,” he said.

    Elegbe explained that a number of schools have keyed into the initiative, noting that they would not be receptive to more offers.

    “It is built specifically for schools so any school can use it no matter how small,” he said.

    He continued: “The world is moving too quickly so we need to make digital education a benchmark here. We need to get to the point where we don’t take books but tablets to school and we will need the federal government to make that happen.”

    On her part, the firm Head of Sales Angela Oyekanmi, said the software is available at N10,000 per licence.

     

  • Improve teachers’ lot, educationists say

    Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Provost Dr Ladele Aina, has advocated the improvement of teachers’ lot through human capacity development.

    Dean of the Faculty of Education of the Lagos State University (LASU) Prof Clement Fasan, who made the same call, said it took extra expertise to teach.

    The duo spoke at a maiden interactive session orgainsed by the institution for workers during World Teachers Day (WTD).

    Aina called for a more supportive environment for her colleagues.

    Aina said: “Today, we call for the creation of a supportive teaching environment, functional teacher training institutes, prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and safeguard for the rights of teachers. The vicious cycle of declining professional conditions of teachers must be broken to improve the quality of learning for all. As we recruit teachers, we must continue to improve the quality of learning for all.”

    Fasan, a co-discussant at the event, recalled the theme of this year’s WTD -Valuing teachers, improving their status as ‘ideal’, saying teachers need to be motivated to do more.

    “I must confess, it is not easy to teach,’’ Fasan added.

    He continued:”The theme of this year is quite appropriate because it focuses on celebrating teachers.  We need to encourage them through consistent training, so they can improve on their performances and automatically improve on the society.”

  • Firm woos teachers, pupils with cash incentive

    Firm woos teachers, pupils with cash incentive

    A huge reward awaits teachers and pupils, aged 13-22 who win medals in the 2017 Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship.

    Information Communication Technology (ICT) teachers have the task of preparing their pupils to enable them excel on the world stage between now and April.

    The prizes at stake, beyond the thousands of dollars they would get for the top three awards at the world championship in the United States, are N750,000 for the winner, and N250,000 for his/her teacher.

    Readmanna Ventures Ltd Chairman Bode Agusto, whose firm organises the national version of the competition, announced the prizes as a special incentive to pupils, teachers, and schools to get more youths to be certified users of the Microsoft Office software applications.

    Agusto, who called the special prizes the chairman’s awards, said the school with the highest number of pupils who get certified in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint (2013 and 2016 versions), would get a trophy.

    Speaking while flagging off the 2017 National MOS Competition which would produce winners that would represent Nigeria in the world championship, Agusto said the country’s representatives would also enjoy educational excursions while in the United States.

    He said the incentives were part of efforts to ensure youths are computer literate by the end of their secondary school education.

    “Our vision is to ensure none of you will leave secondary school in Nigeria without being computer literate.  Therefore, our important mission is to certify as many of you as possible.  We also believe we must continue to provide incentives for teachers and students. I will award a set of chairman’s awards for teachers that produce winners in the world championship.  Teachers will get N250,000 while the student that comes back as a world champion will get N750,000.  So we have increased the stake significantly,” he said.

    Readmanna Ventures Chief Executive Officers (CEO), Mrs Edna Agusto, counselled teachers to start preparations early. She urged them to take advantage of training programmes organised by Readmanna and the online platform created for teachers to exchange ideas.

    “Teachers should master the software.  I invite all teachers to join our online communities.  TEhre are regular updates on the programme they would learn,” she said.

    She also advised them to help their students gain proficiency in existing versions of the software, which would make adapting to updates easier.

    Winners of the National MOS competition were rewarded at the event.

    Katherine Eta of Childville School, Ogudu, scored 1000/1000 in the PowerPOint 2013 category of the national competition, while she came 10th at the world championship held in Orlando, Florida.

    Atafo Abure, also of Childville School, won the Excel 2013 category with 980 points, while Abdullahi Usman of Aduvie International School, Abuja, won the Word 2013 category with 963 points.

    Oshadami Oladokun of Glisten International Academy, Abuja, and Cue-Eze Zal Chukwu of Aduvie International School, Abuja, were runners up in the PowerPoint 2013 category. The Word 2013 category had Ochanya Idoko and Fiberesima Omiebe both of Aduvie International School, as runners up, while Jemin Chinonso of Bellina College, Lagos, and David Eta of Childville School, Ogudu, were runners up in the Excel 2013 category.

    All the winners in each category and their teachers were presented with the equivalent cash awards. The first got N50,000, the second, N30,000 and the third, N20,000.

    In all, a total of 70 pupils from 10 secondary schools were certified during the 2016 competition.

    Winners that emerged from the2016 Readmanna Under 13 National Computing Fundamentals Competition as well as the Key Applications competition were also rewarded.

    Three pupils from Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Jacintha Oguejifor, Odu Oyima, and Ifeoma Kwara won all the prizes for Computing Fundamentals; while the trio of Oluwakanyisola Emordi, Daniel Eta, and Mofeoluwa Adeyemi – all of Childville School, won the Key Applications competition.

     

  • Edo to employ more teachers this week

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has assured that his administration will employ teachers this week before end of his administration.

    The governor said this would ensure quality education in public schools.

    Oshiomhole spoke in Benin, the state capital, at an interactive session with female pupils during the Second Edo State Festival of the Girl Child, organised by We Care Trust Foundation, a pet project of his wife, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole.

    He said: “My takeaway from this meeting is that the commissioner for Education, before he retires next week, must, between now and Tuesday, give me a list of Mathematics teachers, English language, Literature-in-English, Geography, science teachers and arts teachers.

    “We have already done the interview. We will select a number and we will post them to your schools next week before the end of my tenure. You will be able to say when you met with the governor, you told him that you needed a Mathematics teacher and five days later a Mathematics teacher resumed in your school. Same for Physics teacher, etcetera.”

  • Edo to employ more teachers this week

    Edo to employ more teachers this week

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured that the state government will employ more teachers this week, before the end of his administration, to ensure that quality education is given to students in public schools in the state
    He gave the assurance while speaking during an interactive session with female students of different schools at the Second Edo State Festival of the Girl Child organized by “We Care Trust Foundation”, a pet project of the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, in Benin City, Friday.
    Governor Oshiomhole said, “my takeaway from this meeting is that the Commissioner for Education, before he retires next week, must between now and Tuesday give me a list of mathematics teachers, English Language, English Literature, Geography, science teachers and arts teachers.
    “We have already done the interview; we will select a number and we will post them to your schools next week before the end of my tenure, so that you will be able to say, when you met with the Governor, you told him that you needed mathematics teacher, five days later a mathematics teacher has resumed in your school, and physics teacher, etcetera.”
    The Governor continued, “In many of your schools, you are happy with the buildings, the equipment, but even for the laboratory equipment, you need modern ones, and where you don’t have, they will be provided. I am not sure how long it takes to order them and to have them delivered because we don’t have them right in any warehouse now. So, we won’t be able to deliver those before the end of my tenure, but I will do a memo, I will sign, and Godwin Obaseki, when he assumes office, he will ensure those equipment are provided. “

     

  • ‘Teachers deserve better welfare’

    The Association for Childhood Education Practitioners, (ACEP) has called for improved welfare for teachers through salary increment and better welfare packages in both private and public schools nationwide.

    Its national president, Mrs Islamia Oshodi made the call in Lagos while giving a keynote address at the annual World Teachers’ Day celebration, organised by ACEP in collaboration with the National Council of Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria (NACCRAN).

    This year’s edition had as its theme: “Valuing teachers; improving their status”.

    In a related development Dansol School, Agidingbi, Lagos, has rewarded some of its teachers with cash prizes as part of Teachers’ Day celebration to encourage them towards better performance.

    Oshodi said: “Teachers are not being given the desired recognition in the Nigerian society.

    “To improve teachers’ status in Nigerian their employers in public and private schools should start thinking of paying them salaries commensurate with their job. Respecting teachers will go a long way to improving their status. This will also contribute to increasing their performance in the classrooms, which will automatically reflect in the lives of the students.”

    In his reaction, ACEP Lagos State Chairman, Mr. Sunday Fowowe, urged authorities to declare October 5, which is World Teachers’ Day,  as public holiday so as to involve more teachers, particularly in private schools.

    At Dansol School, Mr Wesley Orioha, a Physical and Health Education Teacher got N1 million cheque as the school’s ‘Best teacher of the year.

    Wesley was rewarded for putting 15 years of meritorious service into the teaching profession.

    Wesley’s first and second runners up, Mr Olakunle Gbadamosi and Miss Mojisola Olatunbosun, also received N500, 000 and 250,000 rewards respectively.

    The winners were chosen based on assessment from students, self, peers, supervisors and the school’s management.

    In his reaction, Wesley attributed his achievement to the Grace of God in his life.

    He said: “I am very grateful to the school authorities as well as pupils. I feel really honoured. The pupils are fantastic, we have a very good relationship. They are always ready for me. I love kids and I love teaching.”

    The President of Dansol Christian Mission, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, lamented that teachers, who are nation builders, are undervalued.

    Also, teachers in Akwa Ibom State have asked State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, to extend promotion rights to retiring teachers, and help defray outstanding leave bonuses between 2013 and 2016. The teachers also demanded their four-year promotion arrears between 2011 to 2015.

    They expressed their concern during the last World Teachers’ Day in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, through their state Chairman, Etim Ukpong, who urged government to direct the payment of December 2015, as well as January and February 2016 salaries to some teachers who have been cleared as “non ghost workers” after due verification.

    He urged government to assist in the speedy refund of seven and half per cent contributory pension money, saying the lean economic realities of the time could no longer support government’s sole sponsorship of education.

    Their other demands included: “Training of teachers in information and communication technology (ICT), provision of computers to teachers and schools, as well as equipping candidates for public examinations in line with global best practices.

  • How kidnapped Lagos teachers, pupils were released

    How kidnapped Lagos teachers, pupils were released

    Kidnapped four pupils and two teachers of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla Epe, were ferried to safety in two speedboats by their abductors on Tuesday, it was learnt yesterday.

    The victims – Abu, Emmanuel Okonkwo, Jeremiah Ruth, Isaac Adebisi – Junior School Vice Principal A. O. Oyesola and English teacher Lukman Oyerinde, were dropped off inside a forest where they trekked for over two hours before meeting their relatives.

    Our reporters learnt that they were asked to walk in a line and not look back until they got to the point where family members had waited for over four hours.

    The vice principal led the pack and the English teacher was asked to stay at the rear, leaving the pupils in-between.

    The victims were taken to the Epe General Hospital for check-up.  Some of them were diagnosed with typhoid and malaria.

    The father of one of the victims said: “They spent many hours at the hospital and were later moved to a house in Epe where the principal addressed them.

    “Two parents went to a designated place in Epe, where the kidnappers directed them to. They were at the place around 6pm and stayed there till about 10pm without any sign of the victims.

    “As it was getting late, they said they were scared but had to remain there because that was the kidnappers’ instruction.  So, around 10:30pm, they showed up, saying they had trekked for over two hours.

    “I received the kidnap news with rude shock and since then, my family has been disorganised. I was not staying in Epe. My wife and I relocated to Epe ever since the bad news broke.

    “I thank God when I was called by 10:30pm to inform me that the victims have been released. When I arrived at the school, I saw my son alive.

    “I was not afraid that something sinister might happen to them because I have been praying alongside with many other sympathisers and I have the assurance that they would come out alive. God has really done it.

    “Let’s not talk of ransom, I did not pay any. I don’t know whether anyone paid. I did not pay. My joy is that my son and others are hale and hearty. I want to thank the state government and the police for the roles they played while the victims were in captivity.”

    Ruth’s sister who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “We suffered hell when we went to pay N1 million for our sick child. The kidnappers after two days of playing pranks with us dropped them off in the bush and gave them a description on how to come out to the road.

    “Our joy knew no bounds when we saw our children and their teachers coming out alive. I was deeply involved because our child was described as being ill, but, not as ill as we were made to believe”

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said they were neither assaulted nor traumatised.

    She stated that the medical examination carried out on the victims indicated that none of them was molested.

    She said: “They were released at about 11pm in the night. Our men from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and other units were on the ground to pick them. We would arrest the perpetrators soon. There is no hiding place for any criminal.”

  • Teachers celebrate amid economic gloom

    This year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration was low keyed nationwide. The reason was not far-fetched.

    Twenty-eight state governemnts are owing their workers salaries. Of this number, teachers appear to be worst hit, indicating that they feel the bite of the economic recession more than other civil servants.

    At the yearly event held globally on Wednesday October 5, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) urged the government to reconsider its stance on teachers.

    It called on members to use this year’s occasion for sober reflection,  urging authorities to invite stakeholders to discuss how to wriggle out of the recession.

    “This (economic) recession is not only affecting our members but Nigerians as a whole,’’ NUT National President Michaal Alogba Olukoya, said.

    “We need to sit with the government, discuss economic diversification and also change our curriculum to meet the enormity of the economic demands in our country.

    “By now, we should be looking at where our army of unemployed graduates should function appropriately to enhance their economic usefulness. We should also borrow a leaf from countries that did it and succeeded in the past,” Olukoya added.

    In many states however, the Day was celebrated with mixed feelings.

    NUT Chairman in Niger State, Comrade Ibrahim Umar, lamented  the irregular payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances in the state, adding that this had literally turned his colleagues to beggars.

    He said: “It is very demoralising, unfair and unjust to allow teachers, particularly at the primary school level stay for two to four months without salaries. Teachers, who are known to be pacesetters and models, have been compelled to become unceremonious beggars and most neglected species within the family of civil service, a position they don’t deserve.”

    He continued: “The implication of this trend and its attendant consequences is greatly affecting the morale of our esteemed members and indeed the growth and development of our education system.”

    In his address, the state Head of Service, Alhaji Sule Yabagi, acknowledged that teachers’ morale had dropped considerably. Nonetheless, Yabagi assured that the administration was doing everything within its powers to improve the lives of teachers and the education sector. He praised the union for maintaining industrial peace, soliciting more cooperation with the government.

    Although celebration was also low key in Lagos, teachers were happy that the state government had paid their salaries to date.

    NUT Chairman, Lagos State, Otunba Adesegun Raheem, urged the government to appoint primary school teachers as headmaster-general on grade level 17 like their secondary schools counterparts. Raheem, who decried the shortage of primary school teachers in Lagos, thanked the government for recruiting 1000 primary school teachers recently.

    Further, he canvassed the extension of the Eko Education Project to primary schools.

    ”The primary school is the foundation that ought to be laid before we put the secondary superstructure,” he said.

    Raheem urged the government to increase grants to schools. ‘’The underfunding to basic schools is so regrettable that head teachers spend their money to buy stationery, recharge cards and treat injured pupils, among others,’’ he explained.

    Similarly, Raheem wants some abrograted allowances restored by the government. These, he said, included sports, riverine, science, hostel, rural, and duty post allowances, among others.

    He advised his colleagues to register with theTeachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and stay away from any act of misconduct.

    Chairman of NUT Amuwo Odofin in Lagos, Adewale Adeyemi Ezekiel, said celebrating Teachers Day in the zone was to make about 1200 of their members feel the union’s pulse.

    “After the day (at the state level), we want to come back to our level at this chapter and make our teachers happy. We are their servants and we want them to feel us.

    ‘’We are having a fair deal as our governor has been doing wonders in the prompt payment of our salaries. When you look around, you discover that about 28 states nationwide are yet to pay salaries. But in Lagos, we received our salaries at least by 22nd or 23rd of every month.

    ‘’So, we are sharing the feelings of other states unable to pay to draw government’s attention to the plight of our colleagues in other states.’’

    Corroborating Ezekiel, the Publicity Secretary, All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) Mr Ademola Omotayo, lamented the plight of his colleagues in other states.

    “You must have heard of how governments are treating our teachers in other states. We are lucky because here (Lagos), we enjoy pecks, such as teachers’ bus. The educational districts also bring us close to authorities; by so doing, we would get more commitment by teachers towards their work in appreciation to government that has done them so well.’’

    The union branch secretary Adekoya Adebayo and Chairman,  Association of Primary School Head teachers Amuwo Odofin axis, Messrs Adekoya Adebayo and Saheed Adekunle, sought improved training for teachers.

    “Some of our colleagues still don’t have the basic qualification. So, we need to have the experience,” the duo said. They also admonished defaulting states to pay outstanding salaries and provide instructional materials to make teaching and learning easier.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Lola Akande, spoke on teachers’ role during a similar event by the Ikeja chapter of NUT.

    She said: “Teachers play a vital role in our daily lives. They are not only a means of implementing education goals but are key players in sustainability and national capacity in achieving learning and moulding the society through basic knowledge, values and ethics. Teachers continue to face challenges brought about by staff shortages, poor training and low status.”

     

  • Bayelsa teachers meet, insist on strike

    Bayelsa teachers meet, insist on strike

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on all public primary and secondary school teachers in the state to continue observing the strike declared by the union.

    Teachers have been on strike since the resumption of the new academic session to protest unpaid arrears of salaries and other unfulfilled obligations of the government.

    It was gathered that the NUT had an emergency congress on Monday and resolved that the industrial action should continue.

    The body called on the teachers to disregard the directive given by the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) that the teachers should resume work.

    The state Chairman of the NUT, Mr. Kalama Tonpre, alleged that the ASUSS might have been compromised and called on the teachers to stay at home until the NUT would call off the strike.

    Kalama also called on members of the public to disregard the allegation by the state’s Commissioner for Information that the union had been politicised.

    He, however, said the commissioner’s position was his personal opinion which did not represent the standpoint of the state government.

    But the state government, yesterday, assured the teachers of prompt payment of their salaries and allowances and appealed to them to call off their strike.

    The Commissioner for Education, Mr. Markson Fefegha, gave the assurance during a one day workshop on the preparation of monthly payment vouchers and nominal rolls held at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall,Yenagoa.

    Fefegha said the preparation of vouchers in line with the present administration’s policy on transparency to stop the sharp practices perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements in the system.

    He said the seminar would assist in addressing the issue of voucher preparation to ease the payment process adding that the Governor Seriake Dickson-led government was passionate about the teaching profession.

    He said: “I am sure that most of you have received the two halves and we are working assiduously so that by next week you would receive your other month salary so that you would not only be at par but will be ahead of other civil servants in the state”.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, appreciated the principals for their cooperation and urged them to prepare an all-inclusive payroll.

    He scored the government high in educational transformation and urged to safeguard the infrastructure built by the government.

  • Kebbi governor flags off training of 3000 teachers

    Kebbi governor flags off training of 3000 teachers

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has kicked off the training of 3,000 primary school teachers under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme. The event was held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in BirninKebbi, the state capital.

    In his address governor, Atikuhailed the UBE for organising the exercise, stressing that maintaining and sustaining schools is a collective responsibility of both the government and individual. He assured that his administration will continue to do all it takes to support education in the state. He explained that one of the challenges facing the sector is the huge member of people with fake results.

    He called on the participants to see this training programme as a means to renew their commitment to service delivery. Governor Atiku also emphasised that everyone who is not qualified to be in the education sector will soon be fished out.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the state commissioner for education Alhaji Muhammad Magawata Aliero said the training is an intervention programme designed  by the UBE commission to train  a sizeable number of teachers in all the 36 states.

    He explained that the training was for the second  tranche fund of 2014 which could not be conducted for some reasons,  adding that  the initial number  approved by the commission was 1,500 participants but due to the efforts of the state governor, the commission approved  the number of beneficiaries to 3,000.

    Magawata  stated   further that the five days training has been centralised to take place in the four emirate headquarters of Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri  and Zuru.   He assured that in days, 3,000 primary school teachers would be trained towards improving their pedagogical skill in teaching the four core subjects of English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science &Technology as well as Religion and National Values.