In a landmark collaboration aimed at revolutionising education, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) has joined forces with the American Mission to embark on a transformative journey in Nigeria’s senior secondary education sector.
The Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr. Iyela Ajayi who led a team to the American Mission recently, presented his submission and highlighted many areas of possible collaboration.
Prominent among the areas of collaboration are teacher training and professional development workshops and seminars on modern teaching methodologies, classroom management techniques and sharing of best practices and innovative approaches.
Others are; “Exchange Programmes: Establish teacher exchange programs where educators from both countries can observe and participate in each other’s educational systems, fostering cross-cultural understanding and professional growth.
“STEM Education: Collaborate on developing robust STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs by providing resources, expertise, and technology to enhance the STEM curriculum in Senior Secondary Schools.
“Inclusive Education: Technical support in developing inclusive education strategies to accommodate learners with diverse learning needs. This can include special education training for teachers.”
According to a statement by Fatima Bappare, the head press, others are student exchange Programme which includes implementing student exchange programme to promote cultural understanding and global citizenship. These programmes, she said can include short-term exchanges, summer camps, and virtual exchange opportunities.
The statement also identified academic exchange programme that allow students to experience different educational environments, participate in joint projects, and build international networks.
It continue: “Education Technology Integration: Support the integration of educational technology in classrooms by providing access to digital resources, training for teachers, and infrastructure development. This includes implementing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other digital tools.
“Online Learning Platforms: Develop and share online learning platforms and resources that provide students with access to quality educational content, especially in remote or underserved areas.
“Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Leadership Training: Offer leadership training programs for school administrators and education policymakers to enhance their skills in strategic planning, resource management, and educational leadership.
“Policy Development: Collaborate on developing policies that promote quality education, equity, and access. This can include policy frameworks on gender and school governance.”
The meeting also aiks to encourage joint research projects on topics such as educational psychology, pedagogy, and the impact of technology on learning. Share findings to inform policy and practice and establish innovation hubs or centres of excellence focused on education, where educators and researchers can collaborate on developing new teaching methods and learning technologies, amongst others.
Ajayi further stated that, funding is the greatest challenge of the Commission, as the Commission is yet to receive the 2% consolidated revenue fund that is accrued to the Commission by law.
That notwithstanding he said the Commission is strategically working ahead with the state Government to strengthen the law that will establish the State Senior Secondary Education Board.
He said the Board when established, will enable the various states benefit form NSSEC intervention fund, meant for the repositioning the Sector and further strengthen the NSSEC mutual relationship with the States especially in the area of implementation of the National Minimum Standard for the Sector which he revealed that the document has been produced by the Commission but now waiting for the final approval by the appropriate body before implementation.
He then added that the Commission is looking forward seeing the American Mission collaborating with NSSEC in the area of funding some of its programmes this year and beyond.
Responding to the Executive Secretary’s submission, the First Secretary, Public Diplomacy, Mr. Peter Burba and his team revealed that, the American Mission funding for the year 2024 has been completed already, moreover, their focus is more on basic and tertiary education, but nevertheless, NSSEC may as well benefit from American Spaces which is also an arm of the mission.
They revealed, that, it has a robust programme that will be of immense benefit for the Commission, they will be looking forward collaborating with the Commission in the following areas: Capacity building of teachers, Sport diplomacy, Special English language programmes, Train the trainer, Pedagogy, Policy design in Senior Secondary Education, Curriculum Development/ Enhancement, Digital learning and Drug Abuse programme which they said can be facilitated by the American Mission Alumni.
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