UBEC PARTNERS SUBEB TO TRAIN 1,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON ICT

 

By Uchino Amatey

The Cross River Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has commenced a 9 day ICT training workshop for Public Primary School Teachers in the State.

Declaring the event open at the West African Peoples’ Institute (WAPI), Calabar, the Board Secretary CR-SUBEB, Mr. Cyril Itam stated that Information Communication Technology (ICT) plays a key role in the 21st century and cannot be ignored.

The Board Secretary said the training will be useful to participants to carry out teaching and learning effectively “the importance of ICT in teaching and learning cannot be overemphasized. This is referred to as the Computer age, the children we have here today have a fondness for technology and almost an innate knowledge of ICT. In the next few years if ICT is not prioritized in our schools, by our teachers you will be left behind.”

“The COVID-19 lockdown experience was a prime example on why ICT is so important, because at that time children could not physically attend classes in schools and this hampered teaching and learning. In many advance Countries teaching and learning was still taking place through the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT).”

He further extended gratitude to Governor Ben Ayade and UBEC for constantly prioritizing the training of teachers which he said will improve the overall development of the Basic Education Sub-sector.

Speaking during the opening ceremony the State Coordinator, UBEC, Cross River State, Mr. Francis Etuk said ICT is critical for accelerating educational development in all new industrializing Countries. He added that the need for the use of ICT is even more critical in Africa and Nigeria where the culture of ICT is minimal.

Explaining the importance of the training, the State Coordinator who was represented by Mr Kester Anakwe said it is paramount that teachers in basic education are trained and re-trained to optimize their capacity in ICT.

Enjoining participants to take the training workshop seriously and participate actively, the State Coordinator said “It is important to take this training workshop very seriously because at the end of this training you will be able to build your capacity and the training will aid you in carrying out your job more effectively. For those who already have knowledge of ICT it will serve as a refresher course for you,” he emphasized.

The Director of Academic Services, Mr Emmanuel Ikade stated that the ICT training for primary school teachers was necessary due to the global shift from the analog to the digital. He said the training workshop will equip teachers with ICT skills in line with current trends.

The 9-days training is holding simultaneously in six center across the State.