Experts advocate for quality teachers to drive strategic learning
Concerned experts in the field of education has advocated for a renewed drive towards training quality teacher in other to drive strategic learning among students.
Oby Ezekwesili, former education minister while speaking at the launch of Cambridge University Press in Lagos on the topic ‘The challenge of achieving quality universal education in Nigeria’ stressed that Nigeria cannot achieve her full potential economically until it starts to pay attention to important matters such as sound policies, strong institutions and efficient and effective public and private investment which she observe affects achieving quality universal education.
She said that quality teachers among other things can determine quality of learning out comes for children in the school system.
According to her, “No matter how smart the smart book or text books are, if the teachers who are going to convey the teaching to the students are not smart enough to transfer learning, there is not going to be a good learning outcome.
The former education minister said that for as long Nigeria continue to have poor quality of policy makers for education, their interest will run towards transaction more than it will run towards vision, policy and strategy.
On his part, Ismail Junaidu, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (Nerdc) in his keynote speech titled Quality Textbooks in Teaching, Learning and Future of Digital Technology in the classroom (A Focus on Nigeria) said the use of quality textbooks and digitised e-resources are all aimed at ensuring positive learning outcomes and achievement. Textbooks in paper or digital are important educational resources that should not be handled haphazardly. Therefore, standards must set to assure their quality.
According to him, “Standards that are based on best practices and in tune with Nigeria’s socio-economic and political realities must be put in place”.
Junaidu disclosed that the management of the NERDC is now ready ever than before to take the book and publishing industry to higher pedestal. This is in line with the present drive for social change and value re-orientation in Nigeria. “It is my conviction that the right place to nurture and provide strong foundation to all these is the book industry”, he said.
Lawrence Aladesuyi, Nigeria Country Manager of Cambridge University Press in his welcome address noted that CUP books have been priced competitively to bring them within the reach of every class of schools and students from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds.
He pointed out that the entry of the CUP into the Nigerian market means its teaching and learning materials will be produced locally and will become widely available in Nigeria at affordable costs.
The Cambridge University Press is working closely with Nigerian authorities and leading education professionals to improve this situation. The CUP will be offering its expertise by partnering with local authors and curriculum experts to develop a bespoke series of high quality education materials for the Nigerian market based on the approved Nigerian curricula.
KELECHII EWUZIE