The federal government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has trained 250 technical teachers and instructors in digital literacy skills in the North-East.

The trainees were also exposed to pedagogy and trade specifics under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in Acquisition of Skills ( IDEAS) project being implemented by the federal government in partnership with the World Bank.

Anthony Aboki, chairman, human resource strategy committee, IDEAS, said this at the closing ceremony of the exercise in Gombe.

He said the exercise exposed the participants to the emerging trends in globalisation for economic viability in relevant skills.

Mr Aboki said the decision to conduct the training was informed by the ability of technical and vocational teachers to equip individuals with practical skills.

According to him, the collective knowledge and expertise of the participants will help the technical colleges to meet upcoming challenges, and decried the lack of technical teachers, who never attended any training since they joined the service in the region.

The training exercise, he said, would build the capacity of the teachers to enable them to impart relevant knowledge and skills in their students.

Mr Aboki tasked the participants to be catalysts of change and innovations in their classes and the society, adding that, “without digital skills, you can not function in today’s world”.

The national coordinator of the project, Blessing Ogwu, said the participants had been exposed to best improvisation methods to discourage over dependence on government.

Mrs Ogwu, who was represented by Annah Masinga, the National Consultant of IDEAS, said teachers in rural areas taught their students through effective application of improvisation methods.

“For example, in Home Economic Fepartment, if they don’t have gas they can use a stove with a pot and sand inside, and they will still bring out an excellent cake, and also make popcorn without a popcorn machine,” she said.

She also emphasised the need for ensuring adequate funding and equipment of the Technical and Vocational Colleges, to make them functional.

Also, Aishatu Maigari, the Gombe commissioner for education, said the state government was passionate about industrialisation hence the establishment of the gigantic Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.

She said the state government adopted proactive measures to enable its citizens to become technically-oriented whether in school or out-of-school.

(NAN)