By Dr. Nkiru Onuorah
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Executive Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Assoc. Prof. Hyginus Banko Okibe, has reiterated the commitment of the state government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to prioritize teacher training in its drive for improved educational performance. He made this known at the opening ceremony of a three-day state-wide training workshop organized for teachers in public primary schools across the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State, held at six designated centers.
Represented by the Head of Department of Teachers’ Professional Development, Barr. Andrew Nwani, the ENSUBEB Chairman emphasized that the workshop, focusing on Jolly Phonics, is designed to equip teachers with the skills and tools necessary to enhance teaching and learning in literacy. “Teachers are the foundation builders of our education system,” he said, “and the knowledge and skills acquired in this workshop will significantly improve the reading culture among our pupils.”
Assoc. Prof. Okibe encouraged participants to commit themselves to excellence, innovation, and continuous learning, highlighting that early literacy opens a door to endless opportunities for every child. He further explained that Jolly Phonics offers a proven, fun, and child-centered approach to teaching literacy through songs, actions, and games, making learning both engaging and effective. He urged teachers to pay close attention to the facilitators and actively participate throughout the three-day program.
In his opening remarks, Barr. Andrew Nwani thanked the Executive Chairman for providing the necessary logistics and support for the training. He reminded participants that the success of the workshop depends on how effectively they transfer the knowledge gained to their respective schools. “If you do justice to the training, you will help stabilize the teaching and learning of Jolly Phonics in Enugu State, and the state will be proud of you,” he said.
Mr. Innocent Onyeabor, the Enugu State Coordinator for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), called on teachers to remain focused and actively engage with facilitators. He emphasized the importance of asking questions to clarify doubts and ensure proper understanding of the concepts taught.
Mr. Tony Horsfall, Programme Coordinator for Southern Nigeria Jolly Phonics, welcomed participants and encouraged them to give full attention to their instructors. He reminded them that reading and writing are basic needs for every child and urged teachers to take their role seriously to ensure the knowledge gained extends to their pupils.
Mrs. Benedette Ezeugwu, Desk Officer for Teacher Professional Development at ENSUBEB, noted that participants were fortunate to have been selected for the workshop among many colleagues. She encouraged them to make their classrooms lively and engaging to sustain pupils’ interest and learning.
The three-day workshop is organized by ENSUBEB in collaboration with UBEC and Universal Learning Solution, aimed at enhancing the teaching capacity of public primary school teachers in Enugu State.