THE NATIONAL Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have partnered to empower academic staff in Nigeria’s Colleges of Education through digital literacy and instructional technology, with the objective to enhance teaching and learning methods in order to drive Nigeria’s education sector forward.
To achieve this, 650 Teacher Educators from 13 Colleges of Education across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will receive training on leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for effective e-learning.
The initiative aims to bridge the technology gap, promoting 21st century teaching methods and digital literacy among educators.
Declaring the workshop open at the College of Education, Zuba, FCT, on October 17, 2024, NCCE Executive Secretary, Prof Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, emphasized the commission’s commitment to equipping teacher educators with necessary tools and skills for a digital world.
He cited successes from the 2023 capacity building of 600 academic staff in 12 Federal Colleges of Education as motivation for expanding the initiative in 2024.
Professor Okwelle explained that NCCE facilitates curriculum development, dual-mode education, quality assurance and teacher training to combine conventional and emerging technologies.
“This capacity building program improves digital literacy and pedagogical skills, fulfilling our mandate,” he said, stressing the urgent need for digital transformation, especially post-COVID-19.
Appreciating the Ministers of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman and Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, for their support, Prof Okwelle urged participants to fully utilize the training.
“The future of teacher education rests in your hands. Your dedication will bring lasting transformation,” Okwelle said.
The Executive Secretary expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Provost and Management of College of Education Zuba for hosting and supporting the e-learning capacity program. “Your contributions are invaluable. We appreciate your commitment to enhancing teacher education through technology.”
Okwelle also commended the Provost for providing a conducive environment for the workshop, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to Nigeria’s education sector.
