Cross River, World Bank Empower Primary School Teachers To Bridge Learning Deficit

The Cross River State government, in collaboration with the World Bank’s Project Hope Education, has commenced intensive training programmes for teachers aimed at bridging the learning gaps in English and Mathematics subjects across primary schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Professor Stephen Odey, while addressing trainees at a three-day workshop, said the state government was dedicated to investing in continuous staff training to enhance manpower and improve educational outcomes.

The workshop, themed “Enhancing Pedagogical Practices For Effective Teaching and Learning of English and Mathematics in Primary Schools,” ran simultaneously from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Teachers Continuous Training Institute in Biase and in centers in Ikom and Ogoja.

The decentralised approach allowed a large number of primary school teachers from all three senatorial districts of the state to participate in the high-level training.

“This program is a professional training development circle put together by His Excellency, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu’s People-First mantra and commitment to teacher professional training,” Professor Odey stated.

He stressed that the goal was to develop “competent and resourceful faculty members” who can deliver quality teaching.

Professor Odey cited alarming national research showing an estimated 45.8 million children aged 5-14 years unable to read and understand a simple text, corresponding to an overall learning deprivation rate of 76 per cent nationwide.

He noted this collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and the World Bank aims to tackle both policy constraints and service delivery challenges in basic education.

The chairperson of the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Barr. Mrs. Fidelia Okpo-Ene, lauded the Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI) for its dedication and modern facilities, announcing a partnership between SUBEB and TCTI to continuously develop teachers’ classroom pedagogy.

Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Director-General of TCTI and a former World Bank Consultant, said the workshop was designed to add “immeasurable value to teaching and learning” to strengthen basic and foundational education.

Professor Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, commended Governor Bassey Otu for “taking the best steps for teachers development methods” and thanked the World Bank for its “deliberate efforts” to foster professional knowledge advancement.

Dr. Adekunle Adekola, a Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank’s Abuja office, expressed enthusiasm for the high-level collaboration, stating that Governor Bassey Otu is one of the few governors who truly understands that the Hope Education project is key to economic development in Nigeria.

Adekola remarked that the partnership shows Cross River’s commitment to providing knowledge to its vast populace that will significantly enhance the capabilities of both teachers and students. He further encouraged the state to key into the World Bank’s Hope Governance initiative.

The workshop is the latest in a series of continuous development training models held for tutors in the state since TCTI’s establishment four years ago.