In a bid to deepen the basic minimum standards for programmes of Teachers and Teacher educators in Nigeria, the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the British Council recently in Abuja.
The Two-Day Inauguration of the Technical Working Group and Orientation workshop on the Review of NCCE Minimum Standard, drew critical stakeholders in the Education sub-sector, such as; Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council,(NERDC), National Information Technology Development Agency( NITDA), Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and other stakeholders who gathered to brainstorm in partnership with the British Council to review and come out with a robust frame that will enhance the NCCE basic teaching programme.
The focal point of the MoU is primarily, the strengthening of Teachers’English proficiency and digital literacy for pre-service Teachers in Nigeria.
While officially declaring the event open, the Hon. minister of Education,Professor Tahir Mamman, who was represented by the Director Department of Colleges of Education from the ministry of education, Dr. Uchenna Uba, in her opening remarks commended the Executive Secretary NCCE, professor Paulinus Okwele and the British Council for the unwavering commitment in developing a robust policy framework that will enhance quality of education in Nigeria at the basic level. He then emphasized the importance of teachers’ English proficiency in Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.
He highlighted that Nigeria with its rich linguistic and cultural diversity, presents unique challenges and opportunities in language teaching and digital empowerment.
The Executive Secretary of NCCE, Professor Paulinus Okwelle in his speech stated that Education is a potent tool for national development and at the centre of every educational process is the Teacher. He reiterated the commitment of NCCE in strengthening and developing a robust policy programme for teacher at the basic minimum standard. He maintained that NCCE will continue develop policies that are tailored towards ensuring quality and specialized teacher preparation for the basic education level.
While commending the British council for the timely synergy of the programme with NCCE in Strengthening Teachers’ English Proficiency (STEP), he assured the council of NCCE’s robust engagement and critical working tools to fine tune the teacher educator basic minimum framework, in order to align with global best practice. “We will work in synergy with British council to introduce innovative language and digital literacy skills for 21st century teaching and class room instruction. He added”.
The Director Planning Research and Statistics, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Mr. Ugo Ali Lawrence, commended NCCE and the British council for STEP Project. Adding that the it will enhance English proficiency in teachers and teacher educators.
While the Director programmes,British Council, Mr. Chikodi Onyemerela in his closing remarks applauded the stakeholders and participants, stating that members of the Technical Working group (TWG), were carefully selected based on their tailored expertise and capacities and they are expected to collectively bring their wealth of experience to bear on the national assignment so as to strengthen the English Proficiency in Nigerian basic education level.
The focus of the project is in three categories; Strengthening Teacher English Proficiency (STEP), Stimulating Teacher Resourcefulness in Digital Education (STRIDE) and Supporting Pedagogical Rigour in Networked Teaching (SPRINT).
