A five-day training programme for higher level professionals in the educational sector in Bayelsa has commenced in Yenagoa.

A total of 110 participants are taking part in the training organised by the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) in partnership with the State Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board (TTRCB) and the British Council.

Declaring the programme open at the Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah described education as the bedrock of any progressive society, a catalyst for economic growth, national development and social transformation.

Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mr. Faith Ogbara, he noted that the effectiveness of any educational system hinges on not only policies and infrastructure but on the competence, commitment and vision of the managers.

The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Education, Dr. Charles Daniel while appreciating the Bayelsa government, the EDTF, TTRCB and the British Council for organising the programme gave an assurance that the Legislature was willing to speedily enact laws that would improve the quality of education in the State.

Earlier, Executive Secretary of the State Education Development Trust Fund, Dr. Alice Atuwo said 60 Master Trainers and 50 Education Managers are being trained as follow up to that of 50 principals and 150 teachers to enhance the capacity of educators and improve learning outcomes.

Acting Chairman of the EDTF Board, Prof Francis Sikoki urged the trainees to take full advantage of the programme to enhance their capacities.

Giving an overview of the programme, Head of English and Schools at the British Council, Mr. Daniel Fwanshishak said the initiative was aimed at building functional systems and quality assurance in the educational sector.

Dr. Peremobowei Ugolo, Acting Executive Chairman of the TTRCB, noted that the resource persons were carefully chosen curriculum experts in the arts, social sciences and sciences to retrain primary and secondary school teachers.

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