The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) has collaborated with the federal ministry of education to provide intensive climate literacy and green life skills training for 148 teachers in Kaduna and Benin.
Musa Maitafsir, the Director and Chief Executive of NTI, announced the commencement of the three-day training at the institute’s headquarters in Kaduna, replacing the longstanding Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SENDs) programme.
This maiden edition, designed in collaboration with international partners such as the Office of Climate Change Education in Paris and the Commonwealth of Learning Vancouver, aims to address the critical issue of climate change within the Nigerian education system.
Maitafsir emphasized the program’s global significance, stating, “The primary objective is to empower Nigerian teachers to effectively impact climate literacy by encouraging students as active participants in the vital task of combating climate change.”
Expressing concern over the lack of opportunities for teachers to update their knowledge and pedagogy, Maitafsir highlighted NTI’s commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders to equip Nigerian teachers with essential skills.
He underscored the institute’s role in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and building a sustainable future through enhanced climate change literacy and green life skills.
The training, conducted from December 13 to 15, saw participation from 80 teachers in Kaduna and 68 in Benin.
Ibrahim Bala, Chairman of NTI-SDGs Implementation Committee, noted the timely coincidence of the training with COP-28, where global leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, addressed pressing climate issues.
Participants were urged to approach the training with the seriousness it deserves, considering the global impact of climate change.
Fatima Abbas-Jega, the institute’s acting registrar and secretary to the council, encouraged teachers to stay informed about climate change developments and to share their newfound knowledge with their colleagues.
