Nigeria is set to hold first edition of National Conference of Registered Teachers in the context of Covid-19 pandemic and other emergencies.
No fewer than 400,000 teachers and education practitioners have so far registered for the conference.
The Registrar, TRCN, Professor Josiah Ajiboye made this known in Abuja while briefing Journalists on the readiness of the council in partnership with Unesco Abuja regional office to host the online conference.
Professor Ajiboye said the conference scheduled for 26 and 27 January, 2021, has its theme; ‘Teaching and Learning in the Context of Covid-19 and other Emergencies; Implication for Teachers’ Professional Development.’
Sharing of experiences
Ajiboye stressed that the online conference would provide a platform for registered teachers to share experiences and learn from experts on management of teaching and learning during the pandemic.
According to him, ”they will also acquire new knowledge and skills from the wide array of selected speakers who will speak on the theme and sub-themes of the conference.”
Agreeing that Covid-19 affected the education system, the TRCN boss said the conference would chart an effective safe teaching system amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We place teaching profession on a higher pedestrian in the country. Since we came on board, we have brought physical changes to our operations as to the work we do and the position of teachers.
” The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a bill on retirement age of teachers, on Wednesday and increase in service year and other allied matters. The memo received an overwhelming support from members of the council…This shows that to get it right, we need to get it right with teachers,” he stated.
Equipping teachers
Professor Ajiboye noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had brought challenges, saying teachers must be adequately equipped on how to cope with the challenges.
“About 1.6 million children globally were not able to go to school during the pandemic and about 62 million teachers all around the globe were also affected.
” We are trying to navigate how to go to school and we believe teachers need support and to be able to support their children in the pandemic and other emergencies...That is why at TRCN, we conceptualise the idea of having a conference for the teachers whereby they will be taken through the nitty-gritty of the pedagogical knowledge and skills they will require to teach in pandemic situations and other emergencies”
“Presently close to 400,000 teachers and other educational practitioners all over Nigeria and even outside (the country) have so far registered for that conference,“ he said.
The registrar said the conference would be declared open by Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
The conference would attract various resource persons including Ms. Folawe Omikunle of Teach for Nigeria, Professor Wale Olatukun, former winner of Maltina Teacher of the Year, Nigeria’s World 10 best teacher holder, Olasunkami Opeifa , among several others.
Professor Ajiboye added that it would also ensure a community of practice for teachers, where ideas of various subjects are shared among subject teachers.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
