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The European Union (EU) yesterday launched the second phase of its education programme – ‘Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS)’, to build the capacity of teachers in Nigeria.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, who spoke at the launch in Abuja, explained that the second phase, which focuses on teachers, complements the first phase, Education and Youth Empowerment in the North West, launched in 2023.
According to her, funding for both phases amounted to 45.4 million Euros under the Global Gateway Strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors. She said the programme would also strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.
Ms. Isopi, represented by EU’s Head of Human Development, Leila Ben Amor Mathieu, hinted that the EU, under EISS, would partner six training colleges in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Katsina, Plateau and Oyo states. Each benefitting state is expected to in turn reach out to a wider pool of teachers.
She added: “Why focus on teachers? Because teachers are the bedrock of education. They are the ones who inspire, nurture, and guide our future generations
“Investing in teachers is investing in our collective future. All over the world they play an essential role in shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation.
“However, in many countries, and in Nigeria in particular, teachers face numerous challenges, ranging from insufficient resources to the pressures of adapting to rapidly changing educational environments. Recognising these challenges, the European Union has identified with the government the critical need to support Nigerian teachers in their professional development and personal resilience.
“By empowering teachers, we are not only enhancing the quality of education, but also ensuring that students receive the guidance and support they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
“Specifically, the initiative will fund the development and review of education policies and career paths for the teaching profession in Nigeria. It will also ensure that teachers’ capacity and resilience are enhanced through pre-service and in-service education programmes, as well as strengthen teacher-student collaboration and learning teams at school and community levels.
“This programme’s implementation is entrusted to our partner, UNESCO.”
UN Resident Coordinator Mohammed Fall, while commending Nigeria’s effort to meet up with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), however lamented the high number of inadequate trained teachers in schools.
Fall said: “A 2021 report by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, states that Sub-Saharan Africa faces the biggest challenge, with the lowest percentages of trained teachers in pre-primary (57%), primary (67%) and secondary education (61%) among all regions.
“The UNESCO Global report on Teachers 2023 notes that teacher attrition is a global concern: between 2015 and 2022, attrition rates of primary education teachers doubled around the world from 4.6 to 9 per cent.
“Regardless of the country’s income level, and even remuneration, teachers are leaving the profession within the first five years of practice. We must halt this worrisome trend.”
Minister of Education Prof. Mamman Tahir maintained that teachers represented a significant milestone in the collective efforts to transform the educational landscape in Nigeria.
Prof. Tahir, who was represented by the Director of Basic Education, Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, lauded the funding support from the EU, the technical support of UNESCO, as well as the commitment of all the state governments involved in the programme.
He said: “We all know that education is the cornerstone of national development, and it is only through a well-structured and resilient education system that we can achieve the sustainable goal.”
“We understand the challenges our teachers face, especially in fragile and demanding environments, such as ours. This project will thus provide them with the tools and support they need to excel. By strengthening our teachers and the teachers’ education programmes, and implementing robust teacher policies, we can ensure that our teachers are well prepared, adequately recruited, deployed and managed.”