FG launches teacher development program to foster tech skills

The Federal Government has officially launched the Teacher Internship Scheme (TIS), a visionary programme aimed at fostering a new generation of technologically adept teachers to lead the charge in smart education across Nigeria.

The initiative, introduced by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), addresses the critical shortage of educators equipped for smart education, aligning with UBEC’s establishment of 37 smart schools nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, inaugurated the Teacher Internship Scheme at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre in Kado, Abuja. During the event, he inspected the state-of-the-art facility designated as a hub for resource creation, distribution, and personnel training. Prof.

Mamman emphasized the government’s commitment to providing robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, heralding a shift from traditional teaching methods to embrace the transformative power of technology.

Acknowledging the pivotal role played by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, and his management team, the Minister underscored the necessity of teachers possessing the requisite skills and knowledge for driving educational quality in the country.

Hamid Bobboyi PhD, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, detailed the structure of the Teacher Internship Scheme, noting that participants, selected on merit from across the states, are graduates of education who will undergo a rigorous two-year training program.
The goal is to cultivate a new breed of teachers, not merely instructors but innovators and change catalysts equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of smart education.

Bobboyi emphasized the transformative potential of the interns, envisioning them as “smart teachers” poised to revolutionize the learning experience. He stressed that this initiative marked a significant stride in reshaping basic education in Nigeria, recognizing the ever-accelerating pace of global change and technology’s far-reaching impact on education.