FG Pledges Support for Professional School Leadership

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria through the implementation of professional standards for school leadership.

Speaking at the Public Presentation of the Professional Standards in Abuja, Mamman emphasized the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the values of learners and underscored the importance of supporting their crucial roles.

Mamman pledged to provide necessary resources, training, and support to empower teachers and school leaders to succeed in their profession.

He described the professional standards as a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the effectiveness of school leadership and promote institutional success.

Addressing school leaders directly, Mamman encouraged them to embrace the standards with passion and dedication, viewing them not as rules but as a shared vision of excellence.

He highlighted the transformative potential of effective school leadership in building an education system that anticipates and prepares for future challenges.

The Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, echoed the importance of instructional leadership in school leaders, emphasizing the need for effective management of instruction in addition to administrative tasks.

Ajiboye commended Nigeria for being the first country in Africa to establish professional standards for school leadership under the TRCN, expressing optimism about the positive impact it will have on the education system.

Chikodi Onyemerela, Director Programmes at the British Council, emphasized the critical role of school leadership in creating an effective learning environment for students. He highlighted the five core domains of the professional standards, including promoting school improvement, leading teaching and learning, developing self and others, managing the school, and engaging with the community.

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Nigerian Teachers Accuses Government of Neglecting Profession

NUT, TRCN logo (photo credit: Internet)

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has criticized the Nigerian government for prioritizing other sectors over the teaching profession, which they believe is the foundation for the development of all other fields.

The National President of NUT, Audu Amba, expressed his concerns during a meeting in Abuja on Thursday where he called on the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to halt funding for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Amba emphasized the importance of TRCN as the regulatory body that professionalizes educators at all levels of education in the country.

He questioned the government’s commitment to the teaching profession, stating, “I have never seen everywhere in the world that a regulatory body that is supposed to regulate the teaching profession is not funded, do we really mean business when doing this?”

On his part, the Registrar/Chief Executive of TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, highlighted the significance of reviewing the Professional Standards for School Leadership to align with the evolving instructional roles of school leaders.

He said, “The document is setting the stage for a transformative impact on the educational landscape of Nigeria.

“The standards outlined herein are intended to promote a culture of continuous improvement, professional growth, and accountability among school leaders.”

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SGCI Awards $250,000 Grant to Nigerian Research Teams

SGCIAfrica on X ( image credit: Internet)

The Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) has recently granted $250,000 to four innovative research teams in Nigeria.

This grant stems from the successful implementation of the Research for Impact Initiative (R41) through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), with Innov8 Technology Hub as the technical partner.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja, the director of research and development at TETFund, Dr. Saliba Girei Bakare,  emphasised the transformative potential of this collaboration, stating, “The impact of this collaboration is poised to be transformative.”

The grant aims to support Nigerian research teams working on projects with the capacity to drive significant change.

Dr. Bakare highlighted initiatives such as advancements in garri processing and renewable energy, among others.

He stressed the importance of bridging the gap between research and practical application, with a focus on commercialization.

“The essence is to help them transform their research findings into commercializable goods and services in this country,” Dr. Bakare explained.

A key aspect of the grant is assisting research teams in developing their innovations into market-ready prototypes.

Dr. Bakare noted, “Four teams are going to use this money to develop their research into prototypes and pitch them with industries so that there will be take-off of the product coming out from the research.”.

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NCPWD Partners with Interior Ministry, Seeks flawless services for PWDs

Dr. James David Lalu, the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has appealed for a coherent consistent ordered service delivery in dealing with Persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

The ES made this passionate appeal recently in Abuja during an official visit to the office of the Hon. Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

In his address, Lalu reiterated that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has signed the Instrument of Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa,

“This was as adopted by the Thirtieth Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 29th January, 2018” he disclosed,

Further in his speech, Dr. Lalu shored up the position of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities 2018 (Prohibition) Act.

He restated that the law has gone beyond a period of awareness and advocacy and is now ready for a full implementation, starting from January 16th, 2024.

“A 5 year moratorium period was given which has also elapsed and as such, it is high time we ensured total compliance” He said

The ES further revealed that the Commission has struck a strong alliance with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) with Desk offices in the 36 States of the Federation including the Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja

The entente with Civil Defense Corps, he said “is largely to drive home the resolve by the Commission for the Enforcement and Compliance of the Prohibition Act and the Accessibility Standard of the Commission by Public Institutions”

Lalu earnestly asked the Hon. Minister to extend the same measures of understanding and opportunity to other Institutions under his purview such as the the Nigerian Immigration Services as section 26 of the Act stated that priorities should be given to Persons with disabilities in accessing government services as obtaining International Passports and other amenities pose a big challenge to PWDs.

“The Commission is desirous of enacting Desk offices within the Immigration Service in order to achieve these goals. And as section 28 and 29 of the Act stipulate, 5 percent of employment opportunities should also be reserved for us in all the Services of your Ministry” He further appealed.

The ES also called on the improvement in the services rendered to PWDs in Correctional Facilities in order to access a hygienically advanced environment.

Responding to the Executive Secretary, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Honorable Minister of Interior reiterated President Tinubu’s resolve to bridge the gap between the “strong and the weak” in Nigeria through his Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tunde -Ojo stated that Nation building is a joint task, hence, the Federal Ministry of Interior is open to partnership with the Commission in order to achieve an all inclusive Nigeria.