Retraining of Technical, Vocational Education Teachers, is our top priority, says DG, TCTI
From Ogundele Olanrewaju
The Director General of Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), Biase, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja has said that the Institute has considered the retraining of Technical and Vocational Education Teachers in Nigeria as a top priority.
Adedoja disclosed this over the weekend, during the phase three of the workshop for Principals of public and private secondary schools in Ogoja, Cross River State.
According to him “skill-based curriculum in schools has become the trend in the 21st century knowledge economy, as the high rate of employable graduates from our educational system has become a great burden and concern to stake holders in the economic and educational sectors, and therefore needs to be advised urgently’’
He stated further that the TCTI, Biase, the initiative of the Governor, Prof. Ben. Ayade, has taken the re-skilling of teachers of vocational and technical education a top priority in its retraining program.
Other subject teachers must also undergo re-skilling for child centered skill acquisition rather than the placed-on emphasis on curriculum-based learning.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Cross River State chapter, Comrade Gregory Olayi, commended the efforts of the pioneer Director General, TCTI, Biase, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.
He also supported the need for continuous re-training of teachers but emphasised that “the retraining should be borne by Government and not by the teachers or Principals, in view of the poor remuneration for the teaching profession in the country, which ought to be addressed”.
Moreover, it is recalled that during the first phase, the Deputy Governor of the State, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu who declared the workshop open last week, referred to TCTI Biase as one of the best legacies of the Cross River State Administration led by Senator Ben. Ayade.
And also, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Godwin Amanke, emphasised the need for retraining courses for teachers, while the Chairman of the opening ceremony, who is the Chairman of Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Steven Odey, re-assured the Institute that Cross River State SUBEB and TCTI, Biase are natural partners in Teachers’ development.
The workshop which took place in three centers in the senatorial districts of the state: Biase, Ikom and Ogoja, was attended by nine hundred and sixty-five Principals and Vice principals of public and private secondary Schools in Cross Rivers State.
