He, however, decried that previously, the Institute was a mere administration outfit, in spite of being the largest teacher Institute in the world
The Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, has commended the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna for its proactive steps towards strengthening teacher education in Nigeria.
The minister has also described the Institute’s focus as bold and commendable to the call for digital transformation in education.
He was represented by the Deputy Director, Colleges of Education, Dr Iyabode Ali.
Alausa made the commendation on Tuesday while declaring open the NTI’s 2nd Annual National Conference, Tuesday, November 12 in Kaduna.
The four-day conference has as its theme, ‘E-facilitation Delivery System in Nigerian Schools: Prospects, Challenges and Way Forward’.
“I applaud the National Teachers’ Institute’s leadership and dedication in working tirelessly to build a teacher workforce that is resilient, resourceful and ready to inspire the next generation of Nigerian learners,” Alausa said.
The minister said the theme of the conference was apt, timely and immensely relevant.
” It speaks directly to the need for our education system to keep pace with technological advancements and harness these tools to improve learning outcomes across Nigeria,” he added.
Alausa said the theme of the conference reminded the participants of transforming classrooms, leveraging digital tools and enriching learning environments.
He added, “This will prepare the youths for the demands of an increasingly digital world.
“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration takes education as a priority with clear commitment to strengthening the sector at all levels.
”The administration also recognises that an educated and empowered citizenry is the bedrock of the nation’s progress and stability.
“This is why we are dedicated to creating policies and supporting initiatives that will bolster access, ensure quality and foster innovations in our educational institutions.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of NTI, Prof. Musa Garba-Maitafsir said it was into blended delivery, which were, ”e-facilitation and face to face contact.
“We are into e-Teaching, e-supervision and NTI is preparing for e- Examinations.”
He, however, decried that previously, the Institute was a mere administration outfit, in spite of being the largest teacher Institute in the world.
Musa-Maitafsir said that the country needed conventional and aesthetic writing skills, saying, “that technology has come to stay and NTI is trying to live to international standards.”
Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by Hajiya Adama Wada, Director, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, commended NTI for the bold innovative strategy.
The keynote speaker of the conference, who was also the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isah Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), emphasised,”In this digital era, accommodating technology is not an option, but mandatory.
“E-facilitation is supportive of face to face contact,” charging NTI to come out with a policy that would make e-facilitation flexible.
” One of the benefits of e-facilitation is cost effectiveness, flexibility and repeated content.
” It brings about inclusivity and is an inevitable component of the digital component,” he said.
The former Communication and Digital Economy minister said with the cost of living today, there was the need to deploy digital governance in the schools, hospitals and agricultural sector.
The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu-Bamalli, represented by Alhaji Jibril Magaji, District Head of Kawo, said e-facilitation gives access to students,lamenting the incessant power outages and low literacy level.
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, represented by Alhaji Sagir Musa, Commissioner, Information, Sports, Youth and Culture, while congratulating NTI, stated that the state government has already queued into e-facilitation.
NAN