UBEC meets with teacher training institutions to strengthen teacher professional development

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) on Wednesday began a two-day meeting with representatives of teacher training institutions to strengthen teacher professional development to provide quality basic education.

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Dr Hamid Boboyi, said at the opening in Kaduna that the effort was to provide quality basic education for the Nigerian child.

Boboyi, represented by Alhaji Badamasi Musa, Director, North-West Zone of UBEC, noted that quality basic education would be achieved through effective and sustainable capacity building of in-service teachers using the Cluster Schools Model (CSM) training.

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He also said that the meeting was organised to familiarise with the teacher mentoring and training institutions engaged by the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on the modalities for the conduct of CSM training.

He described the CSM training as the training of all in-service basic education teachers, also the major training under the UBEC Teacher Professional Development Programme.

“I believe that your institutions have been selected by State Universal Basic Education Boards to carry out the training and mentoring of in-service teachers based on your competence in teacher training.

“It is important to inform you that the commission, in collaboration with designated development partners has been reviewing the CSM programme to include adequate monitoring, follow-up and mentorship of teachers who participate in the training.

“The review also considers the development of effective assessment methods and tools that will ensure accurate data collection for improved and informed decision making on CSM implementation in all states,” he added.

The UBEC boss thanked the training institutions for their commitment to ensuring the development of basic education in the country through teachers’ capacity building.

He equally commended the efforts of development partners, particularly the U.K. Agency for International Development, for partnering with the commission in ensuring the improved outcome in the implementation of the CSM programme.

“Your technical assistance has been valuable,” he said.

Earlier, Director of Academic Services, UBEC, Malam Wadatau Madawaki, explained that only recognised training institutions concerned with teacher education in the country were engaged to conduct the CSM training.

Madawaki said that the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss areas of strength in the implementation of the CSM training, sharing of ideas and highlighting challenges in order to proffer solutions.