Education

World Teachers’ Day: NTI introduces one-year mandatory Teacher Internship programme – D-G

Published

7 months ago

October 5, 2023

Prof. Musa Maitafsir, the Director General of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna, says it plans to introduce a mandatory one-year Teacher Internship Programme by January, 2024.

Maitafsir disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja when he addressed newsmen to mark the the 2023 World Teachers’ Day.

The day has it’s theme ‘ The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage ‘.

Held annually on October 5 since 1994, the day is observed to commemorate the adoption of 1996 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.

The day also focusses on the rights , responsibilities and standards of teachers’ initial preparation and further education, recruitment and employment.

Expatiating on the planned internship programme, the director general said that it would be introduced in partnership with the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

He further stated that the programme was initiated in compliance with Section ‘C’ sub section (1), page 21 of the National Teacher Education Policy (NTEP) (2014).

It states: ” After graduation from any Teacher Education Programmes, every new teacher shall be registered by the TRCN after at least one year of successful Internship and Mentoring to qualify for licence.”

Maitafsir said that the internship was a mandatory programme that is expected to last for one year for the holders of NCE, B.ed, PGDE, M.ed and PhD in the education sector.

He added:” The duration of one year is similar to Internship Programmes of other professions like Law and Medicine.

“This will be operated in two diets, March and November of each year before or after the commencement of NYSC by those with Degree Certificates.”

Maitafsir, however, said that the programme would only be applicable to would-be teachers and not for those that have already been inducted by TRCN and given it’s certificate.

He said that the programme would acquaint the ‘ Trainee-Teachers ‘ with the practical knowledge of trashing and learning process.

“They include E- facilitation and teacher integration in teaching skills, psycho – principles of commitment of teaching and delivery and retention techniques.

“Others are aesthetics and conventional wrong skills, entreprenurship education skills and monthly teachers’ acculturation lectures.”

According to the director general, on successful of the programme, the trainees will be awarded with a ‘Teacher Internship Certificate’ that will qualify them for TRCN ‘Induction and Certificaton’.

Maitafsir said that all the interns would pay an application fee of N7,000 and and internship fee of N50,000.

He added that the programme would be run at the Institute’s headquarters in Kaduna and the six geopolitical zones in the country.

Maitafsir further stated that the programme would go a long way in advancing teaching and learning in Nigeria.

He added: “It will certainly help in producing highly motivated, efficient and effective teachers for our schools.

“FME, NTI, TRCN and all other relevant stakeholders should have their hands on deck to ensure successful implementation of the programme as enshrined in NTEP.

“The teaching profession in Nigeria had over the years been intruded by unqualified individuals making it an all- comers job and just a stepping stone to other jobs.

“There is the need to ensure that only qualified individuals are engaged as teachers to teach in schools.”

According to Maitafsir, for teaching to be fully professionalised in Nigeria, there is the need for such a compulsory internship programme for the teachers.

He explained:”The programme will ensure that only individuals that have passed through it would be licenced and called ‘Teachers’ and then be allowed to practice the profession.”

Education

We Must Deliver Quality Education, Jobs For Nigerians– Tinubu

Published

4 months ago

December 29, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said that democracy must be progressive and inclusive with a primary focus on tackling poverty through the provision of job opportunities for youths and quality education for all Nigerian children.

Tinubu expressed support for the establishment of the National Institute of Progressive Studies while receiving members of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday, in Lagos.

The President noted that the Institute is expected to carry out diligent research and educate all party members on the principles of democracy and good governance while providing a distinct identity for the party.

”Democracy has faced challenges in the past, but I believe in a promising future for our country. We will deliver it.

“I am committed to supporting a strong and ideologically-determined democracy that is progressive, inclusive, and focused on eliminating poverty while providing quality education for our children.

”Collaboration with various government arms is crucial, and I commend the leadership of our party for working hard to promote these essential ideals,” the President stated.

Education

Chioma Blessing Obidigbo Emerges Top Performing Student In 2022 WASSCE

Published

5 months ago

November 17, 2023

Gift Oyekunmi

Chioma Blessing Obidigbo, an 18-year-old girl, has emerged as the top performer in the 2022 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the WAEC 61st Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee, held in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The young girl could not attend the ceremony due to her ongoing university studies in the United Kingdom. However, her parents, Mr and Mrs Matthew Obidigbo, accepted the award on her behalf.