Niger State government has taken bold steps towards boosting education and also making the teaching profession more attractive by endorsing the establishment of three Special secondary schools to train students who have passion for teaching and ready to be professional Teachers.
The Special Secondary schools will be located in each of the three Senatorial Zones of the state and they will be mainly for graduates of junior secondary schools who really want to take teaching as a profession and ready to pursue such ambition.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who disclosed this in Minna during an interactive session with the committee on Revival of Teachers Education in Niger state yesterday noted that most people in the teaching profession now see it as a last resort and not really as a Profession hence the poor educational standard in the country.
“Teaching is a career you must be passionate about. The profession should not be seen as last resort for jobless people. This special school will be built basically for those that have passion for teaching. Our aim is to catch them young and motivate them, prepare them and make them proud professionals.
“Like the Nigeria Military School, Zaria where all students except very few are prepared for career in the military, the students of this special schools will be psychologically prepared for teaching profession while they also prepare for their WAEC and NECO examinations.
“To this end, competitive entrance will be conducted for JSS III pupils who have passion foe teaching. The best two from each of the 274 wards will be admitted to the schools in the three Zones of the state
The Governor said at the completion of their studies, such successful students will now go back and teach in their communities thereby gradually bringing back the past glories and standard of education back to the doorstep of the people.
Earlier, the chairperson of the committee, Hajiya Dije Bala said the committee recommended the establishment of a Teachers Development Institute to conduct regular training and re-training of teachers as well as those in other profession but want to take teaching as a career.
The Institute she explained further will provide a platform for qualified teachers to have refresher course that will update them in modern teaching methodology and practice.
She lamented public perception of teaching profession and urged all levels of government to give more priority to the Profession and make it more attractive by way of packaging special welfare for them.
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