Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has commenced the training of 18,000 primary and junior secondary school teachers across the state’s 33 local government areas, alongside the distribution of instructional materials and digital teaching aids.
The initiative, according to a statement signed by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, is designed to equip educators with modern tools and skills in line with global educational trends.
“We have come to show and make people understand that we are keeping pace with educational development worldwide,” the statement read in part. “We all know this is a digital age and we cannot afford to remain analogue. We must keep our teachers up to date with developments in their sector.
“These computer tablets being distributed will strengthen the instructional capabilities of our teachers. Each tablet is loaded with several applications and is intended for all 18,000 teachers in Oyo State.
“This training will last about two weeks so that no teacher will have any reason to claim they cannot operate the tablet. All subjects are included. You simply open the device, go to the relevant subject, and begin to teach our students.”
Governor Makinde, represented by his deputy, Barr Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, described the programme as part of the government’s resolve to stay current with advancements in the education sector and to meet universal standards. He noted that the tablets and modern teaching tools would enable pupils and students in the state to compete effectively at both national and international levels.
The project is being implemented through the Global Partnership in Education and funded by the World Bank, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). It is intended to empower teachers to adopt digital-based teaching methods that enhance learning outcomes.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Chief Suraj Abiodun Tiamy, disclosed that, in addition to the distribution of materials, a four-week training programme was taking place in 16 centres across the state, with professors from Oyo State universities serving as facilitators. He explained that the process would be closely supervised to ensure the schemes of work contained in the devices matched the state curriculum.
Chairman of Oyo SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran, said the initiative was also aimed at accelerating teaching schemes and reducing the burden on teachers to prepare separate lesson notes, as the tablets already contain prepared notes and lesson plans. He added that the programme would upgrade the skills of both new and existing educators, bringing them in line with global teaching standards.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Olufisayo Fajuyigbe, a teacher, expressed gratitude to the governor for his sustained investment in the education sector. She assured that teachers would use the tools effectively to improve learning in schools.
The event, held at Emmanuel College, Agbowo, Ibadan, was attended by the South-West Director of UBEC, Mr Alabi Baba-Asaju; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Prof Adelabu Solihu; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaja Wasilat Adegoke; Chairperson of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Olubukola Oladipo; Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Barr Ayodele Adekanmbi; and State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Ismael Raji.
