The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has organised a training programme for teachers, head teachers, and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to strengthen teacher development systems across Nigeria.
The training, funded by the European Union, was held in collaboration with the Enugu State Ministry of Education and the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB).
Speaking at the event, UNESCO’s Programme Assistant for the Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS) Project, Ms. Maureen Chiedozie, explained that the initiative is designed to improve student attainment and overall human development by increasing the number of qualified and resilient teachers.
She noted that this would be achieved through the implementation of relevant teacher education policies and programmes aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Agenda 2030.
Chiedozie added that the project is being implemented in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Katsina, Plateau, and Oyo states, representing one state from each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
She further explained that the event formed part of the implementation of Outcome 3, which focuses on establishing Teacher Learning Teams (TLTs) across clusters of schools to promote collaboration, peer learning, and improved teaching practices.
“Through TLTs, teachers will be better connected to their students, colleagues, and communities, thereby enhancing learning outcomes.
“This engagement marks a major step under the Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS) to Build Teachers’ Capacity and Resilience Project.
“It seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s education system by improving system governance and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.
“It will reinforce teacher preparation for current and emerging job demands through strengthened teacher education programmes, support policy development on teacher preparation, recruitment, and management.
“The project will support pre-service and in-service training and establish collaborative teacher learning teams to develop functional connections between teachers and students across the six states,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, Assoc. Prof. Hyginus Okibe, expressed strong optimism about the initiative.
Okibe noted that the combination of accurate school data and strengthened stakeholder collaboration would significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to support teachers and transform teaching and learning experiences at the basic education level.
According to him, the project represents a major step toward strengthening education governance and advancing teacher development initiatives in the state.
Participants also received a technical brief on the GPS-enabled school mapping methodology and later joined a pilot demonstration conducted within the state capital.
