The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has begun training no fewer than 8,500 teachers on digital literacy and Information, Communications and Technology (ICT).

The training was supported by Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA), in collaboration with the State University (KASU) that provided the ICT centre.

The board’s director of human resources, Ahmed Sani, said when they conducted competency tests for teachers, the board realised that they had a deficiency in computer knowledge and operations.

Mr Sani said the board found it crucial to train the teachers, looking at the importance of computer literacy in education and everyday life.

According to him, there is nothing more expected of a teacher than the ability to do modern things in research and teaching students to enhance teaching skills and learning ability for learners.

“With this training, we want to enhance the knowledge of both the teachers and students.

“The teacher is very pivotal in educational issues; when he/she acquires knowledge in a modern way, he/she will also transfer in the same way,” he said.

Mr Sani said that teaching and learning in a modernised way were expected to be a path towards addressing the dearth in the educational sector in the state.

He said the training was in line with Gov. Uba Sani’s commitment in enhancing the educational sector and upholding the importance of teachers in the state.

Mr Sani urged the teachers to ensure maximum utilisation of the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and research.

Also, Dr Christy Aladimerin, a permanent member of human resources of SUBEB, said after the teachers undertook competency tests in the past where ICT and computer knowledge were seen as deficient, the board selected those who performed very well for the days’ training.

She said the training was to strengthen the teaching capacity of those who performed very well in the initial competency test.

Ms Aladimerin said the training would improve their teaching methodology.

“We also encourage teachers to do a lot of research. The training is not for them alone; we want them to pass it down to the learners.

“We have placed supervision mechanisms to know if the teachers are putting into practice what they learnt,” she said.

She urged those who were not selected for the training to improve their teaching.

“If we have our way, we will train all the teachers in the state; since it is not possible, the others should work harder to have the opportunity of training going forward,” Ms Aladimerin said.

One of the beneficiaries, Ruth Francis, a teacher at Unguwan Muazu Primary School, expressed joy in being selected for the training.

She promised to make maximum use of the opportunity, while calling on other teachers who were not selected to do their job diligently and Godly.

Also, Aisha Ibrahim, a teacher from Kaduna South LGA, said digital literacy is key to modern teaching and learning.

“If we have the digital knowledge, we can deliver more. We pray those of us who were not selected to also make it when the next opportunity comes so that we all move along in enhancing knowledge of our children in schools,” she said.

The 7-day training drew teachers from Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan Senatorial districts.

(NAN)