UNICEF trains Sokoto educators to strengthen foundational learning

In an effort to enhance literacy and numeracy among school-aged children, UNICEF, in collaboration with TAAL Africa and with support from the European Union, has launched an intensive teacher training initiative targeting educators across Sokoto and Zamfara.

Speaking during the programme, Michael Juma, Chief of Field Office for Innocent Bars in Sokoto, described the Teaching at the Appropriate Level (TAAL) initiative as an “evidence-based, cost-effective” educational approach designed to improve foundational skills, especially in reading and mathematics.

“We are currently running a 10-day intensive training with about 20 Local Government Area (LGA) mentors and 392 head teachers drawn from both Sokoto and Zamfara,” Juma explained. “We’ve also scheduled similar sessions for 90 non-formal education teachers and 1,568 primary school teachers in Zamfara.”

Juma emphasised the growing enthusiasm among participants, noting the tangible improvements already observed in learners’ academic performance. “We’ve seen a lot of positive impacts from the TAAL training, particularly in boosting confidence, motivation, and classroom participation. Most children who have gone through TAAL now show improved understanding of basic reading and simple arithmetic.”

The TAAL programme groups children based on their learning levels rather than their age or class, ensuring that instruction is tailored to their actual educational needs. This strategy has been credited with enhancing pupils’ ability to read basic paragraphs and solve elementary math problems.

According to Juma, participants have shown high levels of engagement and commitment, suggesting that the programme has strong potential to significantly improve learning outcomes across the region. “It’s not just about training teachers. We are cultivating a learning environment that meets children where they are and helps them progress confidently.”

The initiative is funded by the European Union and implemented through TAAL Africa under the supervision of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office. The training is part of broader efforts to build a sustainable support system by equipping head teachers and LGA mentors with the tools to provide ongoing coaching and oversight.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent commend Unicef for the training which they said it’s timely to encourage school enrollment.

Hajia Sekina Abubakar, from Isa local government said the training will help teachers to relate with pupils more better and serve as encouragement to them.

“This new method of teaching where both Teachers and students will sit on the floor to teach will definitely encourage the pupils by making them feel equal with their teachers”

Also speaking, Yusuf Shehu from Wambai Primary School in Kebbe local government describe the training as one major factor that will help in bringing gap on education at the elementary level.

He however promised to ensure the training is stepped down to his colleagues to enable them benefits in the new proposed method of teaching and learning.

As the training progresses, education stakeholders remain hopeful that the TAAL approach will serve as a model for foundational learning interventions across Nigeria’s northern states.