…train teachers in digital reforms in Yobe

By Ndahi Marama, Damaturu

The Office of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, through the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has applauded the state of emergency hitherto declared by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, even as it unveiled training for Science, Technology, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEMA ) teachers in Senior Secondary Schools across state to acquire digital and technical skills in teaching methodology for students.

The programme through Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme (ASSEP) project, is expected to cover many states of the federation.

In her remarks, Dr Maryam Masha, the SSA to the President on NEDC and Regional Development, explained that the initiative, is a joint partnership between the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Office of the Vice President, which serves as a localized cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The occasion took place on Thursday at Unity College, Damatutu the state capital. Similar gesture were carried out in Borno state.

Masha noted that in prioritizing human capital development, the program aims to bridge the educational gap in the North East and equip the next generation with the technical skills necessary for a 21st-century economy.

The Personal Assistant on Domestic and Northeast Affairs to the Vice President and a member of Project Implementation Team (PIT) ASSEP, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad disclosed this in an interview with Journalists during a 2-Day training program for Secondary School Teachers.

He said the day marks the successful conclusion of the ASSEP In-person Training for STEMA teachers of Senior Secondary School across the 3 Senatorial districts in the state.

Comrade Mahmud expressed delight for the Yobe State Government “to key into the programme aims at enhancing teachers’ ability to integrate technology into their teaching methods, as part of a broader effort to boost education in the region”.

With this move he added, “teachers in the state are expected to leverage digital tools to make learning more interactive and engaging for students”.

While declaring the 2-Day programme opened, the Hon. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Yobe State, Abba Idris Adam, said, is apt, which aims at strengthening pedagogical competencies and enhancing instructional delivery among STEM educators.

Represented by the Director of School Services, Idris Mohammed Fune, the Commissioner emphasised the importance of continuous professional development in improving learning outcomes.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in collaborative learning, share best practices, and apply innovative teaching strategies such as learner-centred pedagogy, inquiry-based learning, and formative assessment techniques to improve classroom effectiveness. He also urged teachers to serve as good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the ASSEP Focal Person for the Acceleration Senior Secondary Education Programme, Audu Alhaji Waziri, highlighted the critical role of STEM education in fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and 21st-century competencies among students.

He stressed the need for teachers to adopt innovative, technology-integrated, and experiential teaching methodologies to enhance student engagement and academic performance.

Also speaking, the Board Secretary of the Yobe State Teaching Service Board, Mohammed Ibn Musa, alongside the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the state, Ado Idris, called on participants to explore evidence-based instructional strategies, adopt competency-based curriculum approaches, and integrate practical and hands-on learning experiences into STEM teaching.

They further encouraged teachers to inspire students’ interest, creativity, and sustained engagement in STEM disciplines.

The training is expected to equip participants with modern pedagogical tools, digital literacy skills, and innovative classroom practices that will ultimately contribute to improved teaching quality and students’ learning outcomes across secondary schools in Yobe State. End