200 FCT teachers begin SMASE in-service training

Two hundred primary schools’ Mathematics and Science teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently camping at the Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji in Bwari Area Council for a week 2nd cycle in-service education training under the Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) programme.

The 1st cycle was organized two years ago under the same SMASE programe, jointly sponsored by the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training, the chairman, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Umar Barau Ningi, said the main objective of the training is to enable core teachers plan better activity based lessons (ASEI Lesson), which according to him, is the essence of teaching.

“When the teaching of Mathematics and Sciences is effectively carried out through the use of various activities, learning by children becomes a worthwhile experience and they learn very fast. In this regard therefore, I completely identify myself with this project and hope that we would continue to make progress,” he said.

The chairman reminded the participants that emphasis is to promote the quality of teaching that is child – centred and not teacher –centred.

Earlier, FCT SMASE Coordinator, Dr. Catherine Ezeilu, said FCT keyed into the SMASE programme in 2010 and that about 2600 teachers were trained during the 1st cycle of the training, adding that the 200 participants at the 2nd cycle training are expected to go back to their various schools to train their colleagues.