Prof. Sadiya Sani-Daura, Director-General, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, says education is key to changing and transforming Nigeria in all ramifications.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that she spoke on Wednesday in Kaduna while declaring open nationwide training workshops for 222 basic school teachers drawn from across Nigeria.
NAN also reports that the five-day training is also focusing on E-learning, climate literacy and green life skills.
The training is taking place simultaneously in Kaduna and Lagos, with the participants drawn from the 26 states and FCT.
It has as its theme, ‘Digital Pedagogy, Remote Learning, E-Learning, Climate Literacy and Green Life Skills.’
The training was organised by the Institute in collaboration with the Universal Basic Commission (UBEC).
She said, “With the right attention given to the education sector, a lot of the negative narratives in Nigeria will change for the better.
” A lot of things went wrong hitherto because education was not getting the desired attention.
“With education getting the desired attention, everything will change, including combating criminality.
“It is however gladdening that the present administration of President Bola Tinubu is unwaveringly committed to redressing the obnoxious situation.”
The director-general further reiterated the unwavering commitment and dedication of the Institute to teacher training and development.
According to her, NTI will remain steadfast in making the Nigerian teachers globally competitive,hence helping to restore the lost global glory of the nation.
Sani-Daura, said they represent a milestone in the collective effort to advance teacher education and strengthen the foundations of basic education in the country.
She said that NTI, in collaboration with UBEC has consistently championed innovative strategies to equip the teachers with the skills and knowledge required to address the evolving demands of modern education.
Sani-Daura said, “Today’s workshops reflect this commitment, providing an avenue for professional development that aligns with global best practices and national priorities.
“The first focus area, which is digital pedagogy, remote teaching and e-learning, comes at a time when technology has become an integral part of the teaching and learning process.
“Teachers must be empowered with the tools and skills to harness the potential of digital platforms to enhance instruction, engage learners and foster critical thinking.
“This training is expected to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and the emerging trends in education technology as well as prepare the teachers to thrive in the digital age.”
On climate literacy and green life skills, the director-general decried that the world was grappling with the effects of climate change, saying, “our responsibility as educators goes beyond academics.
“Teachers play a critical role in shaping attitudes and behaviours that promote environmental sustainability.
In a welcome address, Dr Bature Salisu, Special Technical Assistant to the director-general, said that the collaboration between NTI and UBEC underscored the shared vision and partnership to advance teacher education.
He said, “This initiative is a testament to the NTI’s unwavering commitment in enhancing the professional capacity of teachers and addressing contemporary educational challenges.”
According to Salisu, the training reflects a collective resolve to equip teachers with innovative teaching methodologies and critical life skills to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.
The acting Registrar of the Institute, Mrs Zainab Aliyu, described the theme as apt and timely.
She stressed that Nigerian teachers must not lag behind, urging them to be creative using technology.
The teachers attending the workshop at Kaduna were drawn from all the Northern states and FCT while the participants at the Lagos centre were drawn from all the Southern states.