… harps on teachers’ training, retraining and encouragement
… as TSC reiterates commitment to fulfilling mandate
The Secretary to Government of Gombe State, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, has advocated for a framework that mandates the training and retraining of teachers in primary and post-primary schools.
Njodi made the call on Tuesday when he received the Chairperson of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Na’omi Philip Maiguwa, and other members of the commission in his office.
The SGS, himself an educationist, stressed that teachers and prospective teachers need all the support and encouragement of government at all levels. He recalled with nostalgia how the Nigerian government once stood as a pillar of support to students studying education-related courses in the country.
“At the moment, the standard of education in Nigeria has declined significantly due to both government and individual factors. There is no deliberate plan to encourage teaching. That is why the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, on coming to office, constructed a Teacher Training Institute in Kwami to institutionalise training and retraining of teachers within the state,” Njodi said.
He appealed to government at all levels and other stakeholders to be deliberate about restoring the past glory of education in Nigeria by prioritising indicators that encourage effective teaching and learning.
Njodi also described the recent signing into law of a bill creating 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by Governor Inuwa Yahaya as another bold initiative aimed at enhancing service delivery, including education, at the grassroots.
The SSG commended the Teachers Service Commission under the leadership of Na’omi Maiguwa for justifying the confidence reposed in them by the Governor.
Earlier, Maiguwa said the visit was to express the commission’s gratitude to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for reappointing them to serve the state.
She expressed the readiness and commitment of the commission to work within its mandate of recruiting and building a sound and responsive teachers’ workforce in the state.
Maiguwa also congratulated Governor Yahaya for “rescuing the education sector from free fall,” noting that the state of emergency declared on education by the Governor upon assumption of office had been instrumental in repositioning the sector.
She further commended the foresight behind the creation of the 13 LCDAs, saying the policy would bring development closer to the people.
While appreciating the governor’s passion for education, Maiguwa lauded the approval of the recruitment of 1,000 teachers, describing it as a timely intervention. She, however, appealed for the recruitment of more teachers to close the existing gap created by those who have exited the service.
