A United Kingdom (UK)-based researcher, Dr Obinna Ogbonnia, has expressed concern that teachers in Ebonyi State do not receive adequate empowerment and training for career growth and called for collection action to actualise the goal.
Ogbonnia, a lecturer at Swansea University in the UK, spoke at the Women Development Centre (WDC) Abakaliki, during a meeting titled, “Ebonyi Teachers First.”
“Teachers need some of these basic needs to enhance their careers and teaching. Such needs include food, clothing and shelter.
“How many teachers across states can boast of having a house or land property?” he asked.
He called on the state government to prioritise teachers’ welfare and improve learning facilities in the nation’s basic schools and universities.
Ogbonnia noted that investing in teachers remains the best approach to achieving standardisation in the Nigerian educational system.
He maintained that there was always a need to recognise teachers as society’s drivers and brainboxes.
Dr Ogbonnia, who in the meeting gifted the oldest teacher, Mrs Alice Awaza, N1 million, said the cash gift was just a token to encourage the teacher and assist her financially.
Mrs Awaza, a teacher at Ohofia Community Primary School, Ukawu, Onicha, a local government in Ebonyi, has served for 32 years. She started her teaching career in 1992.
Nine other teachers from different primary and secondary schools in the state also received HP laptops to support their teaching.
Prof Daniel Nwibo, Provost of the College of Health Science at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), said that teachers deserve better conditions of service not only in the state but in Nigeria at large.
Nwibo described teachers as “builders” of society.
Prof Godwin Onu, Lecturer, Political Science Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, who spoke on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), said it was necessary to address the challenges of ICT in teaching processes in the country.
Onu noted that ICT could make teaching and learning easier and help bring more access to global knowledge in the educational system.
“Students get learning updates more easily. So, the government needs to enhance teachers’ capacity through ICT and to enable them to meet the global trend in teaching and learning,” he said.
One of the participants, Awaza, the Oldest Teacher, thanked the organiser and urged for more advanced training for members in the rural communities. Ends.
