Group photograph at the end of the signing ceremony
In a bid to transform Nigeria’s education system, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)聽and the聽水果派 of Nigeria (NOUN) have聽introduced聽two smart education programmes for teachers.
A聽six-month Smart Education Primer聽Course and a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Smart Education (PGDSE) are now part of UBEC鈥檚 2-year Teacher Internship Scheme, aimed at equipping educators with essential digital skills.
Announcing the initiative at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre (DRC) on Wednesday,聽October聽2,聽2024聽in Abuja, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary of聽the commission, highlighted the importance of this collaboration.
Bobboyi聽emphasised聽that the programme聽was designed to enhance teaching and learning by integrating modern digital tools.
“Through the Postgraduate Diploma in Smart Education, we are preparing teachers to create globally competitive learners while providing them with recognised certification,”聽he聽stated.
The executive secretary聽also acknowledged NOUN鈥檚 critical role in this partnership, adding that without聽its聽support, this would not have been possible.
On his part, the NOUN聽Vice-Chancellor, Prof.聽Olufemi Peters, reinforced the significance of the partnership, stating that the collaboration will revolutionise聽teacher training in Nigeria.
Peters explained聽that the programme聽covers essential areas like digital literacy, pedagogical innovation, data-driven instruction, and cybersecurity.
“We are committed to providing the infrastructure and support necessary for the success of this partnership,”聽the VC said.
Coordinator,聽UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Prof.聽Bashir Galadanchi, explained that the PGDSE will serve as an equivalent to the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), ensuring that teachers receive comprehensive training in smart education.
Galadanchi聽emphasised that the programme’s reach would extend beyond interns,聽as it would聽offer聽a robust educational framework for educators across the country.
The聽Dean,聽Faculty of Education at NOUN, Prof.聽Bamikole Ogunleye,聽listed聽the course’s interactive features,聽stating that educators will have access to platforms like Zoom and educational management systems, allowing real-time engagement with course materials and peers.
Ogunleye also pointed out that digital resources, such as instructional videos and discussion forums, will be available to students throughout the programme聽to ensure a well-rounded learning experience.