Abia to train over 11,000 teachers to drive State's 'innovative' education programme

The Abia State Government has said it will train some 11,200 teachers who will build confidence, foster innovation and usher in transformation in the education sector, leveraging its launched AbiaFIRST programme.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, who stated this while briefing newsmen in Umuahia said the state government has already trained 200 lead master trainers and 2,000 master teachers who are to drive a training model aimed at reaching over 9,000 teachers across the state in different fields.

Ubochi, revealing that AbiaFIRST stands for Abia Fostering Innovation and Reform for School Transformation, said it encompasses state of the art infrastructural development in the education sector, advanced digital learning processes, comprehensive teachers development programmes, innovative curriculum design and modern vocational training centers among others

Ubochi said the programme aligns with Governor Alex Otti’s vision to prepare Abia students in basic and secondary schools to be skilled participants in the global village.

“This comprehensive education transformation initiative aligns with Governor Otti’s vision to intentionally prepare our citizens to be skilled participants in the global village,” Ubochi said, explaining that the programme is being implemented through a strategic partnership between

the Abia State government and the Education Reform and Innovation Team (ERIT), a consortium of education experts.

“The AbiaFIRST programme represents a holistic approach to education transformation, encompassing Early Childhood Development, Basic Education Enhancement, Secondary School Reform, Technical and Vocational Training, Digital Learning Integration, Career Education, Community Engagement.”

Packaged into the programme, according to the Commissioner, is a Comprehensive Curriculum Framework, Teacher Professional Development, Enhanced TVET Programmes, Robust Monitoring and Evaluation Systems.

Highlighting the importance of community participation in the programme, the Commission urged parents, educators, and stakeholders to be involved in the reform process, enthusing that the state government is building an education system that will drive sustainable growth in the local communities and beyond.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education and Chairman of the AbiaFIRST Organizing Committee, Kenechukwu Nwosu, highlighted the importance of the programme and what the government hopes to achieve with it.

“Transformation is the key thing that we are aiming to achieve with reasonable delivery rules and timelines. By the time we complete the first quarter of this year and move into the second quarter, there are critical things that we ought to have achieved.”

He disclosed that AbiaFIRST will seek to attract investors and partners willing to contribute to the State’s educational advancement, bringing sustainable growth in the sector.