A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has said problems that exist with teacher quality and teaching have to be fixed to guarantee effective instruction in the school system.
She made the assertion at the 5th NEDIS Education Innovation Summit in Lagos.
Ezekwesili said most countries do well or bad based on how well they manage education systems. In all, she said, teachers play the major role on improving student performance and impart in them quality knowledge and learning experience, thus, teachers need to improve their competence.
She said authorities have to adopt innovative practices in teacher education in doing what is best for the students. Teachers, lessons and curriculum have to be flexible and that “students need to be empowered to determine what they need to learn and what it means to learn.”
She said education, which entails grooming future leaders is a shared responsibility involving the family, community, local councils, states, federal authorities, pressure groups etc, that come together to build a lasting system.
According to her, to restructure the education system, an integrated approach with emphasis on the learner, teacher and learning outcome should be put in place. The principal consultant, Leading Learning, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, while making presentation on ‘Working Together: An Integrated Approach to Improving Teaching and Learning’, said teacher training colleges have to be ‘more practical.”
Managing Director of The Education Partnership Centre (TEP Centre), Dr. Modupe Adefeso-Olateju said “the challenges of education can only be solved through concerted efforts by all stakeholders.” The summit on “Strengthening Education Systems; Delivering Effective Teaching And Learning” attracted delegates across African countries, US and Canada.
