Writing By Khadijah Aliyu; Editing By Godwin Duru
The Team Lead Dukawuya cluster for Education and Youth Empowerment in Northern Nigeria EYEPINN, Malam Jamilu Mukhtar, has confirmed that the program will follow up with teachers to ensure strict adherence to the teaching methods under the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) initiative.
He made this statement while speaking to journalists at the end of a step-down training organized by the Kano State Qur’anic and Islamic Schools Management Board (QISMB) in collaboration with UNICEF.
According to Malam Jamilu, school support officers (SSOs) will monitor teachers to ensure they follow the guiding principles and manuals, while instructors receive rigorous training on effective teaching methods.
According to him,these methods include dramatization, singing, and the use of signs and symbols to enhance learners’ comprehension of foundational literacy and numeracy.
He acknowledged some challenges during the training, including late arrivals and a shortage of instructional materials, as some participants had left theirs at home, saying that, the issue was quickly addressed by providing soft copies to all participants.
Malam Jamilu described the large turnout of participants under his cluster from Gwale, Dala and Daaakin Yofa as encouraging, noting that it will go a long way in improving learning outcomes.
He also commended UNICEF and QISMB for organizing the training.
Malam Habibu Aminu, a participant from Gobirawa Islamiyya Dala LGA, said the FLN training has motivated teachers by simplifying the instruction of numeracy and literacy.
He called for the sustainability and continuity of the program, promising to cascade the knowledge gained to pupils to achieve the desired objectives.
Similarly, Malam Usman Magaji, Headmaster of Danguguwa Islamiyya Primary School, Dawakin Tofa, described the training as timely and beneficial.
He noted that pupils now show more interest and commitment in numeracy and literacy and praised the instructional materials and manuals as key tools for elevating education to global standards.
Malam Usman also urged the government to employ more teachers and ensure timely payment of transport allowances to motivate staff.
The step-down training drew participants from 10 EYEPINN focal local government areas including Nasarawa, Gezawa, Kano Municipal, Gwale, Dala, Dawakin Tofa, Makoda, Dambatta, Tudun Wada, and Sumaila.
The EYEPINN project continues to prioritize capacity building for primary school teachers to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes in Northern Nigeria.
Khadijah Aliyu
