A total of 100 teachers from public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa are currently undergoing a three-day training on imparting reading skills, structured phonics and literacy.
The programme which is ongoing at the Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Yenagoa is facilitated by the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) in partnership with the Bridge Academy International and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board (TTRCB).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop which has 70 teachers from primary schools and 30 from secondary schools in attendance has as its theme “Building Strong Readers”.
The Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa, Dr Gentle Emelah represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Simon-Peter Okene while declaring open the training programme, commended the EDTF for the initiative and urged the teachers to make the best use of the opportunity to impart the knowledge gained to their pupils and students.
Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Education, Dr Charles Daniel, who harped on the importance of sound foundation in English language, emphasised the need for constant training for teachers to enhance their proficiency.
Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF), Prof. Ebimieowei Etebu noted that with 75 per cent of pupils and students in the country unable to read and understand age appropriate text, it was imperative to train teachers on structured phonics and literacy.
“Let me start with a number that should trouble all of us: the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, recently disclosed that three out of every four Nigerian children cannot read and understand a simple age-appropriate text by the age of 10.
“Three out of four children in our classroom representing 75 per cent cannot read and write, the statistic is not coming from a distant country or a different decade, but from states across this country.”
“Reading is not acquired through exposure alone, as speech is; it must be taught explicitly and systematically: the sounds of our language, the letters that represent them and sufficient guided practice to carry a child from decoding into fluency”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mrs Mabel Joel, Founder and Executive Director, Bridge Academy International, a special education expert, said the training programme was put together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader.
“In the next three days, we’re not simply attending another workshop; we’re coming together around one purpose, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader.
“Every child in Bayesa deserves the joy of opening a book and understanding what is on the page. Every child deserves the chance to dream beyond their circumstances and reading is the foundation that makes those dreams possible.
“As teachers, you carry an extraordinary responsibility. The lessons you teach today will shape opportunities for pupils who may not even recognise how they acquire them for years to come.
“A child who learns to read gains far more than an academic skill; they gain confidence, independence, communication and access to a lifetime of learning.
“Throughout my work in the United States, I have seen what happens when schools embrace evidence-based literacy instruction. Children who once struggled begin to read with confidence.”
Joel who also served as resource person explained that teachers become more effective because they have practical tools used every day.
According to her, schools achieve stronger outcomes because instruction is intentional, systematic and grounded in research.
“The exciting part of this is that the same principles can work here in Bayelsa. Our children are capable; our teachers are committed. When we combine that commitment with effective instructional practices, remarkable things become possible.
“This training is designed to be practical. We will learn together, ask questions, practice new strategies, reflect on our learning and leave with approaches”.
Chairman of the EDTF Sub-Committee on Development Partners, Dr Alice Atuwo, said the training would enhance the capacity of the teachers to groom pupils and students on structured phonics and literacy.
