The events, held in
STEP is designed to promote teacher's creative thinking, provide training on teaching applications for Science, Technology,
For this edition, which is the fourth, a total of 358 teachers graduated from the programme and were presented with requisite certificates.
The programme is targeted at secondary school teachers in public and private schools in Delta and Edo states, including the communities where Seplat Energy operates. It is a six-month intensive training programme which kicks off with a four-day residential workshop aimed to provide leadership and self-improvement training, training on STEAM modules and its application to teaching. The teachers are also provided with STEAM gadgets and Apps to support their delivery of quality teaching in their schools.
In his remarks, chief operating officer,
The commitment, he said, showed that the organisations recognised the problem facing the education sector and the need to confront it head-on. "The country's education system today is not where it should be, and we understand its pivotal role in development. If the youths of this country are not developed, there's a problem. This shared drive among Seplat, our senior partners, and the state governments in the areas we operate is what propels us forward," Ezugworie explained.
He added: "To the teachers in the room, you shape individuals, and you should take pride in your work. I'm sure your teachers would also be proud to see you, knowing you were once their student, bringing them a sense of satisfaction. Always remember that wisdom is the key."
Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Mrs.
Addressing the challenges within the education value chain, especially in the areas where Seplat and NNPC operate, as well as across the nation, Afe said: "At the foundation of the education value chain lie primary and secondary education, crucial for laying the groundwork for future learning. However, access to quality early education, especially in rural areas, remains a challenge. This affects children's ability to proceed to higher education or enter the workforce.
"Despite efforts to increase access to quality education, disparities in resources persist across different regions, particularly in secondary education. Higher education institutions play a critical role in shaping the workforce through specialised training and skills development, but they face challenges such as limited funding and outdated curricula."
According to her, education disparities among socioeconomic groups hinder inclusive growth and poverty reduction efforts, emphasising the need for uniformity in resource allocation and quality improvement.
"Addressing challenges within the education value chain is crucial for workforce development and socioeconomic growth in
Edo Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Ovaiwe,thanked Seplat JV and NEPL for supporting teachers in Edo and Delta, noting that under the leadership of Governor
The Keynote speaker,
Speaking on the theme 'Transforming the Education Workforce: A Critical Success Factor for
According to him, transforming the education workforce requires a holistic and collaborative approach, adding that it is a complex and multifaceted process that involves various stakeholders, strategic planning, and sustained efforts.
"The Seplat example and the EdoBEST example are replicable and scalable models of private sector and public sector interventions. To achieve them at national scale requires comprehensive needs assessment to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the current education workforce. This involves analysing teacher skills, professional development opportunities, and the alignment of the workforce with the evolving needs of learners and society," he said.
The MD, NEPL,
The overall outstanding teacher from the programme,
Other benefiting teachers, Beauty Atsenuwa and
Atsenuwa said: "If we were to pay for this, 99.9 per cent of teachers here will not be able to afford this. Seplat and its senior partners have given us an opportunity that is rare, and we can't thank them enough."
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