British Council commends Benue’s educational quality, partners SUBEB to train 150 teachers

The British Council has commended the improved quality of education and teacher development in Benue State, as it partners with the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to train 150 teachers and Headteachers under the Strengthening Teachers’ English Proficiency (STEP) and School Leadership Capacity Building Workshop.

The Director of English and School Education British Council, Fwanshishak Daniel, made this commendation while speaking at the opening of the training on Monday at Holy Family Primary School, Kanshio. Mr Daniel applauded the progress recorded in educational quality, high pupil enrolment rates, and teacher development in Benue State in recent times, noting that STEP is designed to improve the English language proficiency and professional capacity of teachers, while strengthening their communication skills and effectiveness in classroom interactions.

Declaring the training open, the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, commended Governor Alia’s administration for prioritising teacher development through strategic partnerships. 

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Adamu highlighted notable strides in the education sector, ranging from infrastructure upgrades to teacher professional development and the provision of school grants, describing the collaboration with the British Council to train 150 Benue teachers as a deliberate investment in the human capital required to sustain the ongoing transformation of schools in the State.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, described the STEP programme as complementary to the vision of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, of promoting the welfare and continuous professional development of teachers.

According to her, about 8,900 teachers have been trained between 2023 and date through various interventions, including Stimulating Teacher Resourcefulness in Digital Education (STRIDE), Supporting Pedagogical Rigour in Networked Teaching (SPRINT), Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE), as well as Jolly Phonics training for teachers and learners conducted in partnership with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), among others.

Also in attendance were the Chairman, House of Assembly Standing Committee on Basic Education, Hon. Elias Audu, PhD, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Benue State Chapter, Comr. Levi Akura, who, in their separate goodwill messages, appreciated the efforts of Governor Alia towards improving the welfare and professional standing of teachers, particularly after years in which teachers had faced significant challenges.

The STEP training is expected to span five days physically for both teachers and Headteachers, and continue online for ten weeks.