No fewer than 1,000 science, technical and vocational teachers in Enugu State are currently undergoing training meant to improve standards and enshrine the latest educational innovations in schools.

Amaka Ngene, the chairman of the Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB) in Enugu State, revealed this on Monday in Enugu while officially declaring the training open.

The training, which was tagged “21st Century Pedagogy in Science, Technical and Vocational Education”, started on August 1 and will end on September 12.

Mr Ngene said that the training and other subsequent training would positively reposition learning and lead to better academic outcomes for students in science, technical and vocational schools.

According to him, the training was being organised in partnership with the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), and it is designed for all teachers in science, technical and vocational schools employed under the board.

“This training is one of the many ways His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, is preparing our educators (teachers) for 21st-century professional growth and being attuned to modern innovation and technology.

“It also reflects his unwavering commitment to sustaining the professionalisation of the teaching profession in Enugu State,” she said.

Ms Ngene said that the board had streamlined the training to ensure that “no teacher who is willing to learn will be left behind.”

She noted that the training would lead to retooling teachers’ knowledge with innovative and modern teaching skills, adding, “Over some years now, our teachers have not been trained.

“They are going to learn new approaches to teaching using the ICT, use of other technological devices and practical use of new equipment provided by Gov. Mbah to enhance learning in the state,” she said.

She said that the training had been fully funded by the state government, adding that accommodation had been provided as well.

Earlier, the provost of the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Enugu, Stella Ekwueme, appreciated Mr Mbah “for his uncommon stride and commitment to improve education at all levels”.

“Governor Mbah is building 260 Smart Schools; recently paid arrears owed to staff of this college; funded accreditation of our courses; constructing the Centre of Learning and Innovation; and increased our subvention, among others,” Ms Ekwueme said.

She assured the board that the college would abide by all terms in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the board, as it had assigned its lecturers to deliver on the MoU.

The provost urged the teachers to take the training seriously and ask questions on whatever they do not fully understand. 

(NAN)