The Nation Newspaper

Tag: teaching

  • Teaching old hands new tricks

    Teaching old hands new tricks

    Shelter Watch Initiative, an NGO with a passion for improving the lots of artisans in the country, recently retrained over 100 artisans in their respective trades and skills in modern techniques and tools. Taiwo Abiodun who was at their graduation in Ilaro, reports.

    THE environment was filled with excitement, and food and drinks were freely served. Music also blared from two giant hi-fi speakers placed strategically at the four corners of the hall, while the celebrators who were graduating danced their hearts out. You could tell that they were really in a joyful mood.

    Somehow, these graduates are however different in that they are not your run-of-the-mill youths. These are men in their 40s; some in their 50s; and some in their 70s. They were proudly regaled in their ceremonial graduation gowns, beaming with smiles and full of joy, as they took photographs and posed with their family members and friends. This was on the occasion of the graduation ceremony of some Nigerian Artisans, who recently underwent training under the Shelter-Watch Initiative (NGO) in conjunction with the Department of Building Technology,  Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State penultimate Thursday.

    The school graduated about 108 artisans, who were retrained in their various skills, to enable them garner more practical skills, improve and be able to perform up to international standard. Following the training, they were also expected to compete favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

    This was the first graduation ceremony taking place at the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP building of the institution. It was witnessed by hundreds of parents, relations and well-wishers, who came from far and wide to see and cheer their own in their academic gowns  something they never dreamt of, as they received their certificates.

    In his speech, Builder Tayo Fajuyitan, Dean School of Environmental Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, said among other things that “as you are all aware, Nigeria is currently undergoing serious social economic challenges in the areas of massive unemployment and disequilibrium and lack of technical know-how. That is why it has become imperative for you to embrace the vocational training that can make majority of youths self-sustaining and self-enriching.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Omotoso, described the graduating students as “lucky to have the opportunity of this feat,” while Builder Segun Bolarinwa, who is Director of Building, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Abuja, said he placed so much value on the programme that he had to stop his journey to Abuja to honour the graduands and give them words of encouragement.

    Omotoso advised them to behave well and show good attitude to their customers. He also said that they should not be temperamental and that it takes time to succeed.

    In his words, “Everybody in Nigeria wants to be a big man and become a millionaire in a day, but life is not like that.”

    He said there is no menial job but menial attitude, and implored the artisans to take their job with seriousness and dignity: “We should not look down on our job because it is what we use to feed our family and maintain ourselves. Your work is important and crucial.”

    Speaking on the occasion, the Executive Director of Shelter Watch, Mr. Segun Olutade, stressed the need for the artisans to be trained and retrained in a world where technology has taken over the manual and archaic skills. According to him, ‘Learning is a never- ending process.’

    He said this was not the first time such training and retraining of artisans would be taking place, adding that over 2,000 artisans has been successfully trained in various polytechnics across the country.

    Olutade bemoaned the old style of moving materials to work site, saying “Use of sacks to carry tools to sites has been identified as one of the major setbacks for the sub-sector of the building /construction industry. Coupled with this are the energy-sapping tools most artisans still use, but which have been long forgotten in the developed and developing countries of the world. While it would take 50 seconds to shoot a nail into the wall by a carpenter in the developed and developing world, it might take his counterpart in Nigeria five minutes, with energy-sapping effort to poorly hammer a nail into the same wall.”

    He said “It is sad to note that neither Nigerian unemployed youths nor their parents want to be identified with artisan trade in the building sector, which is begging for attention of over a million unemployed youths. As you can see today, we have succeeded in dealing with the attitude of our artisans and their dressing code.”

    In order to show the technical know-how of how to utilize the latest instruments, Adedamola Ajibulu, a London-trained builder and an expert in building technology and instruments, declared that the era of working with outdated tools and old system was over. He added that the developed and developing world have jettisoned old styles and types their Nigerian counterparts are still using. To the excitement of the graduands, he demonstrated how some of the instruments are used. He brought out different tools used in carpentry, building, fabrication, welding, electrical, and practicalised their usage, while the artisans watched in awe and appreciation.

    Ajibulu said ‘No one uses hammer for hours to put a nail on a door anymore in the modern world, as it consumes more time and saps energy; but with the new technology of these tools, things would work faster and man hour would be saved.”

    Among the graduands were young and elderly people, who said the yearning for more knowledge prompted them to go back to school to be retrained.

    Speaking, Lamidi Fatai Alaba, who graduated in Electricals, said “I am glad to have participated in this course. I am a graduate of Electrical under this crash programme. This will improve my knowledge and help to equip me more than the others out there.”

    Adelu Oluwatosin, who obtained a certificate in Welding, said “We were trained in many things we did not know, thus bringing us up to date with modern trend, and we can now compete with others in our area of specialty anywhere in the world. I am glad to have taken part in this course.”

    Musibau Lateef had a retraining in Carpentry and he thanked God for the opportunity. “I thank God that I participated in this course, as it made me realise that many things have changed in the profession. We were exposed to the latest instruments that would make our job faster and neater. I thought I was using latest equipment before, but I now know better. I only need to look for money now to equip myself with some of the equipment. ‘

    Alhaji Mujaidi Kareem, 72, who also underwent retraining in carpentry, said he was excited to be among the graduands. He said it was one of his clients in Ibadan where he went to repair a mosque roofing that invited Olutade to come and meet him. Despite his age, Kareem said “I wanted to know more, that was why I decided to go for this training. In his excitement, he made jokes about his lecturers who called him Baba, apparently because he was young enough to be his son.

    Alhaji Toyin Lawal also a carpenter said it is good to know more in order to be able to compete with those in the civilised world. He said “When we were asked to go and learn more, we did not know this is what they meant. Now we know better. It is a big challenge for us to buckle up, and sort of improve ourselves to meet up with current world standards.”

    Chief Michael Olumuyiwa Ogunbanjo (69) said he is a welder and has decided to add to his knowledge because he who fails to learn more is not fit to be alive. He said ‘As chairman of Ijebu Local Government’s Welders Association, I should learn and know more and also go out to teach others. Although I am successful in this job, but without additional, nobody can be successful. Even the Oba of Ijebu-ode who is over 80 is still learning, so learning is good.”

  • End quackery in teaching, provost urges

    A call has been made to intensify the fight against quackery in the teaching profession.

    Provost of the College of Education in Obudu, Cross River State, Dr Eugene Ibli, made the call during the first induction of teachers into the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in the institution.

    Ibli, who was represented by his deputy Obong Okon Akpan Mbuk, said since the teaching profession has become attractive, the need to protect it from junk and quackery has also become compelling.

    He thanked the council for providing a platform for teachers to be graded and branded into a professional body.

    He assured that the college would not relent in her efforts in producing well-trained and highly motivated teachers who will contribute to the development of the nation.

    Guest speaker, Prof Zephirinus Njoku of the Department of Science Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, decried the trend that has turned the teaching profession into an ‘all comers’ business.

    He described it as one job seekers fall back on when they do not succeed elsewhere. Even in tertiary institutions, he said there is student apathy towards the teaching profession.  Hence colleges of education and faculties of education in universities are forced to wait for those whose cut off points were not high enough for the courses they applied for and fall back to education as a last resort.

    He decried a situation where young graduates prefer to be inspectors rather than teachers because according to them, teaching is too demanding, especially writing lesson plans and notes, as well as administering tests and examinations.

    Registrar of TRCN, Prof Addision Wokocha, represented by Director of Professional Operations, Alhaji Ibrahim Roni, said the council is poised to stem the tide of fake and unqualified teachers who only find their way into the profession as a means of livelihood.

    Replying, one of the inductees, Dr Willie Eteng, expressed appreciation for being found worthy of being admitted full membership of the teachers’ professional body.

    He pledged his loyalty and dedication to the profession.

  • Ibidapo-Obe seeks new methods of teaching

    Universities have been urged to adopt new methods of teaching to produce engineers needed in the 21st century.

    Former Vice-Chancellor University of Lagos (UNILAG) Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, said this at a three-day workshop on capacity building for engineering and technology educators in tertiary institutions, held at Julius Berger Hall of the university.

    The seminar was organised by African Engineering Education Association (AEEA) in partnership with UNILAG.

    In his keynote address titled: ‘Educating 21st Century Engineers’, Ibidapo-Obe said the status of engineering had become a cause of concern in the country.

    He, therefore, advocated that universities move away from the Multiple Choice Questions, which he considered obsolete, to a new teaching method that would help graduates  think for themselves.

    “We need to change the Multiple Choice Question (MCQ). It is not the way to go in our universities. You do not actually get the best out of the students in terms of them playing a bigger role in the country.

    ‘I suggest virtuous style of new learning which are motivation to teach how to think and not what to think,” he said.

    This new paradigm shift, Ibidapo- Obe said, should be accompanied with good learning environment, computer work stations, laboratories, technology projects, and small group tutorials, among others.

    He explained that industrialisation, which is the bedrock of a nation’s progress, is not evident in engineering courses in the nation’s universities, which according to him, still struggle with low funding, outdated laboratory equipment, and low remuneration, resulting in drop in students’ enrolment.

    The second keynote speaker and Chairman, Promaco Associates Limited, Dr. Olumide Philips, lamented that the disconnect between universities and industry is the result of non-partnership between the two. He advised universities to collaborate with industries to enhance productivity.

    “Companies have to focus on addressing consumers’ problems rather than being theoretic. Academia should please come and relate more with the industry. Whatever theory or costly research you do, if the industry cannot translate it into money then it is of no value. It is the industry that can translate your development.”

    He continued: “We need support from technical centres, technical colleges, and polytechnics. Whatever you teach in the university cannot survive well in the industry. Motivate them to know that they are not just taking it as a degree but also to practise it.”

    The President, Nigerian Academy of  Engineering (NAE) Prof. Rahmon  Salawu, urged schools to do more of project works than classroom notes.

    “Engineering education needs more of project works and not writing equations on the board. I found out that the full time students are actually doing part time because what they need is just note. They need to get involved with class project works. When you as a lecturer write a note, students give same note back to you during exams,” he said.

    The UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, said the new learning strategies, such as project-based learning, problem-based, team-based, as well as flipped classroom, would enhance knowledge acquisition and improve the quality of graduates with relevant skills needed in the industry.

    He added that the university would give its support to develop capacity in engineering education which is pivotal to the country’s development.

  • Promoting compulsory teaching of indigenous language in Osun schools

    Promoting compulsory teaching of indigenous language in Osun schools

    Renowned African author, Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o, recently urged African countries to promote their indigenous languages for meaningful social and economic development.

    He spoke in Lagos at the second edition of the “Read Africa’’ initiative of the United Bank for Africa Foundation to promote reading culture among pupils.

    The Kenyan writer and author of  “Weep Not Child’’, expressed concern about the rate at which African nations abandoned their languages for foreign languages.

    According to him, people are enslaved if they are proficient in other languages but are not interested in understanding their indigenous languages very well.

    “I stopped writing in English language 10 years ago because Africa is our base and we must not lose our base and our indigenous languages.

    “Since then, I have been writing in Nkiyu language and I later do translation myself or I look for somebody to do it for me,’’ he said.

    Wa Thiong’o, nonetheless, argued that people who acquired other languages had additional advantages, insisting that such people would be able to appreciate the values of their indigenous languages better.

    Observers, therefore note that such advocacy from a reputable African author, perhaps, inspires most societies to protect and give priority to the teaching of their indigenous languages in schools.

    They cite the development in Osun, where the state House of Assembly passed a bill to an act to enforce compulsory teaching of Yoruba language as a subject in public and private schools in the state.

    The house, having examined the importance of the bill entitled: “Osun State Education Amendment bill 2014’’, passed the bill to an act on September 15.

    Mr Afolabi Atolagbe, the Deputy Leader of the House, representing Ifedayo Constituency, moved a motion for its passage while a member of the house, Mr Abiodun Awolola, representing Egbedore Constituency, seconded it.

    Highlighting the importance of compulsory teaching of Yoruba language as a subject in schools, Atolagbe said the law would prevent the language from extinction and preserve the cultural values and tradition of the Yoruba.

    Mr Najeem Salaam, the Speaker of the House, said the house would also set aside a day in a week to conduct its proceedings in Yoruba Language.

    Salaam said a section of the act stated that: “Any person, being the proprietor of a public or private school, who contravenes any provision of the bill, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of not less than N10,000, if convicted.’’

    Irrespective of the provisions of the act, residents of the state have commended the lawmakers in the state for their courage to pass the bill.

    In his view, Mr Femi Adegboye, a civil servant in the state, commended the lawmakers, urging the appropriate authorities to ensure that schools enforce the provisions of the act.

    According to him, authorities should make pragmatic efforts at ensuring the teaching of Yoruba language as a subject in schools to prevent it from extinction.

    “Policy makers in education should take urgent steps to revive and improve the language by teaching it among the schools across the states, especially where it is spoken’’ he said.

    Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Oluwasegun Ayanda, a historian, said the compulsory teaching of the language would go a long way in enriching the vocabulary of the language.

    He decried the rate at which Nigerians switched from their indigenous languages to other languages, especially English language, warning that such practice would alienate them from their immediate environment.

    Ayanda commended the lawmakers for passing the bill, noting that such step would stimulate pupils and students to use the language in public activities.

    He recalled that the People’s Republic of China was able to achieve the present level of development because the people used their mother tongue for education and other transactions.

    He, therefore, urged the state government to ensure that all schools in the state teach Yoruba language as a subject.

    “Those who have the mastery of other people’s languages at the expense of their own indigenous languages have subjected themselves to second slavery.

    “We should promote our languages and we should encourage our children to speak our own language,’’ Ayanda said.

    Commending the state assembly members, Mr Oluwaseun Adeniran, a secondary school teacher in the state, said the law would correct the impression that English language was superior to Yoruba language.

    He observed that some school authorities had relegated Yoruba language to the background, observing that with the passage of the bill, the situation would change.

    Observers, nonetheless, urge the relevant stakeholders to ensure that necessary mechanism is put in place to enforce the provision of the law.

    Mr Ibidapo Ojekunle, an educationist, observed that some members of the society had considered their languages as inferior to English language and preferred to use the latter in most interactions even with their family members.

    He commended the state lawmakers for the passage of the bill, noting that it would change the views of the young about the language and expose them to its vocabulary.

    Skeptics, nonetheless, express concern that although the courage of the lawmakers in passing the bill is laudable, the law may not be effective as most observers hope.

    They insist that except the state government and stakeholders in education take appropriate steps to enforce the law, it may not be different from previous ineffective laws.

    According to them, the state government must convince the public that it has plans to ensure that the schools in the state adhere to the provisions of the act.

     Adeoti is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • ‘My passion for teaching

    ‘My passion for teaching

    Titilayo Omodolapo Oduseso is the brain behind Royalbridge International Company Limited, an educational consulting firm that gave birth to Gapbridge Private School, Lagos. She has a wealth of experience in Cambridge International Examination and has conducted IGCSE English Second Language oral assessment examinations for the British Council for notable schools in and outside Lagos for sixteen years. The mother of two is also involved in IGSCE training for teachers and students ‘placement to colleges, universities in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada and a few other countries. In this interview, she takes Adetutu Audu into her world. 

    Why are you so passionate about the profession?

    I’m just passionate about the profession because I believe in building and moulding lives and my joy is always seeing my products doing very well in their chosen career. To me, that is the satisfaction of the job. It’s like there is no other job than being a teacher because of the passion I have for the profession.

    Do you really set out to be an educationist?

    When I left school, I had intention working with some big companies and banks and, fortunately for me, I was able to secure one with a bank but my husband resisted me from working with them. He told me to stay at home and take care of the kids. But when I was tired of doing that, I opted for a teaching job because I knew it would enable me take care of my kids no matter how busy I am. Though not my first love, my father was a principal and few of my siblings also taught before moving to other sectors, so I took it upon myself and went fully into the profession and today I thank God because I have been able to make a living out of it and also surpassed most of my family members in the profession.

    Before delving into teaching line, did you consider the poor remuneration?

    Yes, of course, people focused more on payment and they also look down on us because of our remuneration. But I can tell you, your job can stand you out once you know your onions. I actually started with the Lagos State Government before I moved to the private sector. As at the time I wanted to move, many said they would over use me in the private sector but for the vision I had then, I eventually moved and I allowed them to use me and that has made me to be useful to myself. I’m now master of the game, most of my colleagues that we started teaching several years back are still in the classroom teaching but I actually took the decision in order to build myself for the task ahead and it has placed me where I am today. And hard work, perseverance, the never-say-die-spirit and grace of God have also worked for me. Gone are the days when teachers were poorly paid, but as of today, if you know your onions and you know what you stand for, you will be well paid.

    How much was your first salary as a teacher?

    When I was in the public sector, I was earning three thousand naira but when I moved to the private school, my pay increased to twelve thousand naira. Three months after, it became twenty-five thousand naira simply because of what I put in for the short period I joined the school. Before I knew what was happening, my pay had increased to hundred thousand, though right from the beginning I had determined that I would never be a poor teacher and I so much thank God for where I am today.

    The placement of students to schools abroad, no doubt, stands you out. How did you strike deal with all these international schools?

    I got the exposure when I used to go abroad for one seminar or the other. During those years, I met a lot of people with like minds and we had a deal. Now we offer checkpoint, IGSCE, SSCE, IELTS, A level and foundation programmes. We also do placement for students going abroad to study in countries like the UK, US, Canada, Ghana, and many more, depending on students’ preferences. The school has a proud history of academic achievement and is renowned for its ability to meet individual needs and fulfil potential. Students are encouraged to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed. We promote the achievement of excellence in a learning environment that is safe, caring and accepting of diversity. We are committed to the development of lifelong learning skills that motivate and enable all students to make positive contribution to the society and themselves. Learning is designed to develop understanding and to challenge students to push the boundaries of their thinking. All students are encouraged to be creative, critical and caring thinkers. We want them to discover a passion for learning and life. We promote an environment that encourages students to be self disciplined, to learn from their mistakes, to be willing to take risks and to value their own and others’ thinking. Independent learning skills are developed within a technologically rich setting that includes collaborative online learning environment. Specialist teaching and a broad innovative range of subject choices ensure that each student’s individual strengths are fostered.

    Why do you use both British and the Nigerian curricula?

    We fashioned our system around both because the director has worked in the public schools where Nigerian curriculum is being used and the many elite schools in Lagos where British curriculum is being used. British curriculum gives a world-class education among other nations. The benefits are numerous which include; no exam malpractices, no special centre to favour any candidate. No cramming for students, they read, understand and apply themselves to the questions.

    You are a single mother, has this affected you career wise?

    It made me stronger and I was able to learn how to do things myself without looking for support from anybody. Some women who had similar problem with their marriage have also learnt from me. I’m a career woman and my marital problem had not deterred me from climbing the success ladder; it has even made me to stand tall.

  • Interactive teaching key to large class management

    Former Ogun State Commissioner for Education and a professor of English Segun Awonusi, has said teachers should ensure student-centered and interactive teaching in large classes.

    Awonusi, who teaches at the University of Lagos, said interactive communication aids good teaching and learning.

    Awonusi spoke at the 11th conference of the National Association of Teachers and Researchers in English as Second Language (NATRESL).

    The conference, which held at Kinmowo Hotels, Ijanikin had as theme: ‘Managing large English Language Teaching (ELT) classes: Approaches, Technologies and Pedagogies.’

    The don, quoting Abioye (2010), said a large class has between 30 to 35 students.  He encouraged the teachers to make use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance their teaching.

    “We, who are practitioners of English Language Studies as well as teachers of English, should acquire ICT skills needed to enhance teaching in large class setting.  We must, as part of our academic enquiry, examine these issues so as to enhance the quality of our service delivery in the education sector,” said the lecturer, who has authored a book titled: “Coping with English Pronunciation.”

    Also speaking, a Lecturer at the Department of English Language, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin, Dr Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the interactive and student centered methodology is necessary particularly in Lagos State where there are large ELT classes.

    “Teachers in the public sector are well paid, but the problem we teachers have is looking for how to get more from the system rather than what we can give to the system.  Teachers should see teaching as a calling and put their very best into it to ensure that their students speak and write English effectively,” she said.

    Chairman of the occasion and former provost of the college, Prof Bashorun Babatunde Oderinde, charged the teachers to address the declining quality of graduates of English Language teachers.

    “Spoken form of English is dead. Quality of English Language teachers is also going down. English Language teachers’ ability to impart knowledge is also going down due to large classes. Therefore, the right teaching methodology is necessary if teachers are to contain the challenges posed by large classrooms,” he said.

  • Osun’s bill for teaching of Yoruba, others

    THE Osun State House of Assembly has passed a bill for compulsory teaching of Yoruba language, culture and tradition, civic education as well as physical and health education in public and private schools.

    The bill was passed after a motion moved by the Deputy Leader, Mr. Afolabi Atolagbe and seconded by the member representing Egbedore, Mr. Abiodun Awolola.

    Reading the policy trust of the bill, “Osun State Education Amendment Bill 2014”, Atolagbe explained that it would promote the use of Yoruba language, culture and tradition in schools.

    The lawmakers unanimously supported the passage of the bill, which they said would help prevent the language from going into extinction.

    They maintained that physical and health education, as part of the law, would enable the students to be physically fit.

  • Teaching practice orientation for students

    As a prerequisite for the teaching practice programme for all prospective student-teachers, 200-Level students of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), have participated in a one-week orientation.

    The orientation was held at the Education Lecture Theatre of the university.

    Speaking during the programme, the guest speaker, Dr  A.T. Alabi said: “Teaching provides an individual the opportunity to observe oneself. It goes beyond standing in front of a class with a chalk or a marker in your hand and talking to the students. Teaching requires a whole lot of technicalities and adequate experience.”

    She enjoined the students to be dutiful during the exercise, stating that teaching was a very rewarding and fulfilling profession.

    The Sub-Dean of Students Affairs Unit of the university, Dr Abdulraheem Yusuf, encouraged the students to comport themselves responsibly.

  • FMC hosts teaching hospital

    The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, has expressed its readiness to serve as the teaching hospital for FUNAAB’s medical programme.

    The Chief Medical Director of FMC, Abeokuta Dr Dapo Sotiloye said he received the proposal of FUNAAB mainstreaming its programmes with joy.

    With the personnel and equipment of FMC, Sotiloye said it would be easy for FUNAAB to run a standard teaching hospital.  “Whatever is demanded of us within our powers, we would not hesitate to do it,” he said.

    The FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, said mainstreaming would help the university expand access to higher education.

    “Our vision is to contribute to the development of our people.  While agriculture remains the flagship of our university, we go into other areas of life that would promote development of our people,” he said.

  • Don’t dump teaching, students urged

    Don’t dump teaching, students urged

    Studying education may be a last resort for many students, but they have been encouraged to stay put and excel in the teaching profession.

    The students, mostly finalists studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), heard from some experts from Nigeria and the United States last Monday that they have highly significant roles to play in moulding Nigeria’s future if they remain teachers after school.

    They also learnt about opportunities to gain topflight education from the United States after their bachelors at the programme organised by the Early Years Consult Limited.

    Underscoring the importance of their roles as educationists, Mrs Chinenye Uwadileke of Educational U.S.A., run by the United States Consulate-General, told the students that they should continue in the profession after school because they are needed to help future students lay good foundation for their education.

    “We are the ones who will shape the next generation of Nigerians who need to make a difference.  If you don’t catch them young, it would be difficult when they are older.  We have people who come to us to ask to study abroad but their foundation is bad in English, bad in the sciences.  You have an opportunity to shape a life; stay with education,” she said.

    Mrs Uwadileke also told the students of the many opportunities for study in the U.S. with various kinds of funding.  Though more funding opportunities existed in the sciences for Masters and PhD students, she said the students can still get scholarships and grants if they do their research, put up a good application package, and make good scores in the relevant entry examinations.

    “In the United States, there are over 4,000 accredited institutions.  About 1,000 offer degrees.  There are about 297,000 higher degree students at any point in time.  You are spoilt for choice of institutions to choose from,” she said.

    She also told them once admitted as students, they can gain experience and earn incomes from internships, research assistantships, teaching assistantship, and other such roles.

    On her part, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology and Leadership from the University of Texas, Georgina Duarte, told the students that if done properly, Early Child Education has the potential of changing the world positively.

    “Early education matters.  It shapes communities, countries.  When it is done painstakingly in collaboration with the international community, it is more effective than any economic summit…the parent is the first teacher of a child; the second is the school/teacher; the third is the environment.

    Giving them a tip on how to arrest the attention of young learners, Duarte said they should design the learning environment to make the young ones use their hands.

    “If it is not in a child’s hand, it is not in their brain.  Children must have hands on opportunities.  Looking at it is not enough.  Your hands transmit thousands of messages,” she said.

    Duarte also told the students to join professional groups while still in school.  She said it would improve them professionally and even give them access to funding if they seek further studies later.

    “While you are a student, I encourage you to join international associations because down the line there is money.  Once you join a professional organization, your English will improve and you are building a professional career.  Your membership is also cheaper as a student,” she said.

    On the purpose of the programme, Director, Strategy and Advocacy, Mrs Funsho Chikezie, Early Years Consult, said research supports providing the right foundation for a child’s success early in life.  She said the change Nigeria seeks can only be achieved if children are prepared from the cradle with the right values and skills.

    She therefore counseled the trainee teachers to realise the importance of such assignment and take it seriously.

    “Focusing on early child education has a ripple effect on the other levels of education.  You are in a life-changing profession.  I know many of you stumbled into this course.  The reason why we are here is to encourage you.  Lives are waiting for you to change,” she said.

    Prof Ajike Osanyin hoped that there would be future collaboration between both parties.  She also sought further training in the area of methodology.

    One of the students, Rasheedat Oganla, scored the programme excellent for the kind of exposure they received.

    “I have to rate it 100 per cent.  Now I am more exposed to a lot of things and I plan to go online to research more educational opportunities,” she said.