The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation in alliance with GirlUp Africa commenced the health training of 1,111 teachers to reach out to adolescents across Ebonyi.

The training was carried out by the UNESCO 03 Family Life and HIV Education programme.

The programme is in line with the organisations’ vision to empower adolescents and young people across schools in the three senatorial zones of the states through the teachers.

Speaking at the programme launch on Thursday, Awo Nwobasi, Commissioner for Education, described teachers as role models in shaping the future of society.

Mr Nwobasi, represented by Director in the State Ministry of Education, Chinyere Eziuloh, expressed optimism that the programme would support the delivery of quality education.

He said, “Investing in teachers is investing in our collective future; all over the world, they play an essential role in shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation. We support the programme and urge teachers not to relent on their quality services to mankind.’’

The Executive Director, GirlUp Africa, in Ebonyi, Chikaodi Omokide, said that it was imperative to promote adolescent education, especially among schoolchildren.

Ms Omokide, who led the project implementation in the state, said it aimed at building up the teachers’ knowledge.

“It helps in building them on how to manage their well-being, physically, emotionally, and mentally, especially in the area of their social interactions with the outside world.

“We are partnering with UNESCO to train 1,111 teachers in the state and to equip them in order to be able to teach the adolescents how to manage their well-being,” she stated.

Patience Ogodo, Chairman, Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), described the programme as appropriate and urged UNESCO and GirlUp Africa to keep building the teachers’ capacity.

Ms Ogodo, represented by Livinus Ezeuwah, Secretary of UBEB, said the state government was ready to work hard to sustain the project.

He said that the board would ensure that such training was sustained and carried out in all schools in the state.

Speaking earlier, Chairman, Ebonyi State Secondary School Board, Lillian Nwankwo, lauded UNESCO and GirlUp Africa for their decision to hold the programme for teachers in the state.

A participant and a teacher in Community Secondary School, Ndufu-Alike in the Ikwo Local Government Area, Friday Ogah, pledged to reach out to the wider society, especially among his colleagues, on knowledge acquired.

(NAN)