Foundation Trains 100 Bayelsa Teachers In Effective Teaching

**Guests Charge Teachers To Turn Out Competent Graduates

By Enideneze Etete

One hundred teachers in Bayelsa State, have undergone training in techniques geared towards effective delivery of subjects to ehnance learning and application of knowledge.

The one-day training workshop, which took place at the Azaiki Public Library, October 14, 2024 was sponsored by the Azaiki Institute of Science and Technology, as part of its mission to support education and human capital development in the state.

Chairman and Secretary of planning Committee Engr. Utovie Egba, and Hon. Godwin Fefegha, said participants cut across primary, post-primary and tertiary institutions, adding that following a public notice, 100 teachers from public and private schools, registered, online.

Making remarks as chairman of the opening ceremony, Dr. (Mrs.) Josephine Igodo, said continuous learning and retraining were vital for outcome-based teaching, hence the value of the workshop.

Dr. (Mrs.) Igodo, a veteran educationist and a retired Head of Service of Bayelsa State Civil Service, urged participants to consider the free training programme as a rare privilege, stating that it was the private initiative of the Azaiki Foundation.

She charged the participants to make good use of the skills, and fill the gap between knowledge and competence in order to produce employable graduates.

Also speaking, Hon. (Chief) Ayibanegiyefa, member representing Yenagoa 1 Constituency in Bayelsa State House of Assembly, urged teachers to focus attention on pupils and students, in order to nurture their potential.

Hon. Egba who noted that the role of continuous training could not be overemphasized in the teaching profession, which parents and society look up to for the development of their children, lauded the Azaiki Foundation for the Organizing the workshop.

The lawmaker decried the trend of some teachers giving assignments beyond the capacity of pupils, without haven taught the topic, only to make parents answer questions for the pupils, thus causing ineffective learning.

Declaring the workshop open, Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), University of Africa (UAT) Toru-Orua, commended Professor Steve Azaiki for the kind gesture of training teachers in effective teaching and learning methods.

Professor Ayakoroma who was the guest of honour, enjoined the participants to make full use of the skills, and also train others.

He also advised the participants to forge ahead for higher degrees, as well as make use of the Azaiki Public Library, which has valuable educational resources for teachers and students.

Appreciating the gesture of Azaiki Institute of Science and Technology for the training, a participant, Miss Pere Inidouye of Gilead School, Baybridge Kpansia, stated that the workshop was important in view of the fact that learning was a continuum, especially in the ICT era in which new approaches have emerged.

Another beneficiary, Mr. Daufa A. Peter, from Reigis International Montessori School Amarata, while appreciating the opportunity, pointed out that there was need for total re-evaluation of the educational sector to holistically address problems.

In her comments, Mrs. Esther Johnny of St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School Amarata, harped on motivation of teachers as one way to enhance effective service delivery in schools.

In the first training session, the guest lecturer, Dr. Olatunde Odewumi of the Applied Scholastics International College of Education, Pankshin,Jos, Plateau State, stated that the essence of Applied Scholastics Study Technology was to equip trainees with competence-based teaching and learning.

Dr. Olatunde further stated that the technique emphasises education and learning put into practice, stating that the idea was to help teachers and students study and learn better as well as help others do same.

He highlighted techniques of effective teaching and learning to include identification of physical psychological and physiological barriers, which teachers have to identify and tackle, accordingly.

Dr. Olatunde thanked Azaiki Institute of Science and Technology, for collaborating with the Applied Scholastics International College of Education in holding the workshop in Yenagoa.