Coalition urges FG to prioritise teachers’ development

The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government to focus and prioritise teachers’ development in its agenda for the education sector.

Ms Chioma Osuji, the Policy Advisor of the organisation, made the call when she spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Osuji said that teacher training was paramount to the growth and development of students as well as in ensuring a better future for education in the country.

She noted that the lack of capacity on the part of teachers was affecting the development of education, particularly at the basic level, where there was a dearth of qualified and motivated teachers.

“In many rural communities in Nigeria, we have the problem of inefficient teachers teaching the children and that will surely result in poor learning outcomes for students.

“And if we don’t get it right with the teachers, we can’t get it right with our students.

“For instance; we do not have trained personnel in the Early Childhood Education Scheme; what we have are nannies; so teachers’ development should be paramount in this administration’s agenda.’’

Osuji said that a recent assessment by the Department for International Development (DFID) on teachers in Nigeria showed that most of them could neither read nor write.

She also urged the federal Government to concentrate on infrastructural development for schools and the provision of adequate data management system for proper planning and implementation of projects.

Osuji said that adequate accountability mechanisms should be put in place to tackle corruption in the sector.

She said that without proper accountability, any fund channelled to the sector would be mismanaged.

“No matter the amount of money you spend in regard to education development, if there is no accountability, corruption will creep in and nothing will be achieved.”

The policy advisor also urged governments to include all relevant stakeholders such as parent, youths and community members in the decision making process of the sector, for effective development.

Ms Chioma Osuji, the Policy Advisor of the organisation, made the call when she spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Osuji said that teacher training was paramount to the growth and development of students as well as in ensuring a better future for education in the country.

She noted that the lack of capacity on the part of teachers was affecting the development of education, particularly at the basic level, where there was a dearth of qualified and motivated teachers.

“In many rural communities in Nigeria, we have the problem of inefficient teachers teaching the children and that will surely result in poor learning outcomes for students.

“And if we don’t get it right with the teachers, we can’t get it right with our students.

“For instance; we do not have trained personnel in the Early Childhood Education Scheme; what we have are nannies; so teachers’ development should be paramount in this administration’s agenda.’’

Osuji said that a recent assessment by the Department for International Development (DFID) on teachers in Nigeria showed that most of them could neither read nor write.

She also urged the federal Government to concentrate on infrastructural development for schools and the provision of adequate data management system for proper planning and implementation of projects.

Osuji said that adequate accountability mechanisms should be put in place to tackle corruption in the sector.

She said that without proper accountability, any fund channelled to the sector would be mismanaged.

“No matter the amount of money you spend in regard to education development, if there is no accountability, corruption will creep in and nothing will be achieved.”

The policy advisor also urged governments to include all relevant stakeholders such as parent, youths and community members in the decision making process of the sector, for effective development.

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