Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state says his administration would reintroduce Teachers’ Training Colleges in the state to restore the quality of teaching and learning.
Consequently, the government will convene a forum of experts and professionals to chart the best course of action for the take off of the schools.
The comrade governor gave the hint Tuesday at a training workshop for primary school teachers at the Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, in an interview with newsmen.
The governor described scrapping of Teachers Colleges in the country as a mistake that affected the quality of teaching and methodology because teachers trained in such schools were best equipped with requisite know-how to impart knowledge into pupils and students.
Dr. Nasir Idris announced that his administration would establish two teachers’ colleges as a starter, one each for males and females.
Declaring open the training workshop, the governor reaffirmed the commitment to the resuscitation of the education sector through infrastructural development of schools, training and retraining of teachers, including improvement of welfare, provision of furniture and instructional materials as well as conducive environment for learning.
He was emphatic that education remained the engine room for societal development, adding that the poor result of students scored in public examination in the state would be reversed.
“I am a teacher, I understand the problems of teaching. I was also a student; I know the challenges of studying. I have taken measures to redress the situation in the education sector.
“Education must be a priority. No responsible government will toy with the issue of knowledge. I assumed leadership with three things as priority; condition of teachers, problem of out-of-school children and poor results of students in examination, all of which I am determined to correct”, he vowed.
Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Usman Sani Tunga, announced that the training workshop for primary school teachers was sponsored by the state government on the approval of Governor Nasir Idris and organised by the consultancy services of the polytechnic.
He said six centres comprising Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, Zuru, Jega and Bunza, would simultaneously train 400 teachers in each centre, staggered into two sessions for a total of four weeks in English, Mathematics, Methodology and other various subjects under the guidance of professional resource persons.
Executive Chairman of Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board, Professor Suleiman Khalid Jega, reviewed the achievements of Governor Nasir Idris on revamping basic education in the state and the amount of money expended.
