GOV DICKSON FLAGS OFF 5-DAY TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP

GOV DICKSON FLAGS OFF 5-DAY TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson says Government will continue to accord premium to the training and welfare of teachers in the state.Governor Dickson stated this while declaring open a 5-day capacity building workshop for primary school teachers in the state in Yenagoa, jointly organized by the Universal Basic Education Commission and the State Government.
Describing teachers as the most critical component in the educational sector, the Governor observed that the advancement of society is dependent on the quality of its teachers and called on them to brace up to the paradigm shift in the sector.Hon. Dickson noted that while his administration strives to equip teachers with modern methods of teaching and instructional materials, they are expected to put in their optimum performance in imparting requisite knowledge.
He also underscored the need for teachers as custodians of the children to go back to the basics by focusing on instilling the right values in children in the molding of their characters.As a mark of Government’s commitment to towards transforming the educational infrastructure, the Governor announced the completion of the Teachers Training Institute which is a part of the State College of Education at Sagbama .
He pointed out that, henceforth all teachers are expected to pass through the institution to get certified in learning and character before being absorbed in the school system.Hon. Dickson, who announced that Government will have regular interactions with Headmasters and Principals, also decried lobbying by teachers on postings to urban areas.According to him, some teachers will be sent abroad for training, who will in turn train others.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo remarked that 2000 teachers are expected to participate in the workshop, while additional 3000 will undergo similar training by the 17th of this month, bringing the total number of trainees to 5000.
Chief Adikumo urged them to apply themselves in accordance with the set objectives and guidelines of the exercise.Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Prof. C.O Onocha says the commission places great premium on the continuous development of the professional skills of teachers, stating that the prompt release of 140 million naira to the state for the ongoing training demonstrates Federal Government’s commitment to the upliftment of teachers.
Prof. Onocha, who was represented by Prof Sylvester Enyinaya commended Governor Dickson for the steps taken so far to revamp the education sector, including his resolve to train all basic education teachers in the state, and urged the governor to sustain the tempo.He pointed out that the training is expected to improve the efficiency of the participants, and called on SUBEB to put in place mechanisms to ensure that the trainees apply the knowledge and skills they will acquire from the workshop.
In his welcome address, the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board, Comrade Walton Liverpool urged teachers to work hard to meet the current needs of their profession and lauded Governor Dickson for his education friendly policies. 
 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the GovernorOf Bayelsa State