In line with the efforts of the Yobe State Government to improve the learning outcomes of students at the basic education level, NSF Developments Limited was engaged to support systems strengthening and teacher-training components of the Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE) reform.
As part of a series of interventions, NSF carried out the training of forty ECCDE Teacher, ten School Support Officers (SSOs) and ten Quality Assurance Officers (QAOs) from Yobe State on Learner Centered Pedagogy, 21st Century Skills and on how to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM Education) skills in teaching ECCDE curriculum.
The Governor of Yobe State, HE Mai Mala Buni has placed priority on human capital development (HCD) in order to prepare the young graduate for 21st Century world of work and also grow the economy of the State. To demonstrate the commitment of the State to improving the capacity of teachers in Yobe State, the Hon. Commissioner of Education , Dr. Sani Muhd Idriss, the Permanent Secretary and the State Education Programme Investment Project (SEPIP) Coordinator visited the venue of the ten-day training at the NSF Developments Training Centre, Asokoro, Abuja. The training commenced on 9th of December and ended on the 18th December 2019.
Through the World Bank funded State Education Progamme Investment Project, the Government of Yobe State has been able to scale up investment in education, rehabilitate schools and train teachers following the destruction of educational infrastructure and institution caused by the insurgency. The main goal is to improve the learning outcomes of students in the participating states including Yobe State, with the specific objectives to support: (a) need-based teacher development; (b) school-level management and accountability; and (c) measurement of student learning.
The ten-day training was divided into themes: 1) How young people learn; and 2) Integrating STEAM Education into ECCDE curriculum. During week one, the 60 participants were taken through such topics as: establishing routines; classroom management; literacy/reading; and developing low-cost no- cost teaching and learning materials.
Week two was on integrating STEAM education in ECCDE curriculum and was devoted to training teachers on the use of activities, games and projects to enable young people learn and enjoy school. Participants were introduced to project-based learning and were given a lot of projects to implement, these included: coding, solar system; robotics; building castle; and volcano eruption. The idea was to demonstrate that participants could be creative and innovative.
The training sessions were highly interactive and the facilitators made sure all participants were very well engaged in the activities. Participants were taken on a study tour to The Sage School, an outstanding ECCDE Center in Abuja, to demonstrate good practice and provide opportunity for participants to reflect and share ideas. Participants developed various teaching and learning materials during the visit to The Sage School.
During the training session, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Dr. Sani Muhd Idriss emphasized the need to leapfrog and jump to ensure that the learning outcomes of the students in National Examinations move up-wards to the middle position rather than towards the lowest position as it is now. He went further and urged the participants to take advantage of the training to learn new skills, especially 21st Century skills, and also improve their subject content knowledge. The Hon. Commissioner emphasized that effective teachers and teaching were at the core of education reform in the State.
A group photograph with the Commissioner, the PS and the Coordinator SEPIP.
NSF conducted training on how to integrate STEAM Education with everyday curriculum, the production of classroom teaching and learning materials, and also trained teachers on how to teach literacy. The teachers were highly motivated and promised to use the skills and knowledge in facilitating learning. Following the design of the intervention, the teachers will receive additional training on facilitation skills and also mentoring and support visits.
A group of participants gladly display their handcrafted robotic hand during the STEAM Education training.
The Representative of the Teacher Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Mrs Mary Ogbene Abah, who monitored the training commended NSF Developments Limited for the facilitation and the content of the training. TRCN gave all the participants forms to complete so that they would be given credit for the training as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. TRCN is at the moment undertaking robust reforms to ensure that all teachers in Nigeria have the skills, knowledge and attitude to teach within the education system. The professionalization of teaching to ensure improved students’ learning outcomes is at the heart of TRCN reforms. TRCN has accredited NSF Developments Limited to conduct CPD programmes for in-service teachers in Nigeria.
Participants learnt new skills and acquired subject content knowledge during the ten-day training. Many of the participants testified that they had not had any training that exposed them to 21st Century skills and subject content knowledge. STEAM Education was entirely new to them, however, they are committed to trying out the skills, knowledge and attitude acquired.
The next step in the reform process is to support the Yobe State education sub-sector to set-up child-friendly ECCDE classes with reading, home and creative corners. This will provide friendly and safe space for activity-based learning and learning through play. The School Support Officers (SSOs) and the Quality Assurance Officers (QAOs) will mentor and support the ECCDE teachers to implement the skills, knowledge and attitude gained from the training for sustainability.
