Justice Odili canvasses for teachers return to training colleges

Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Odili, has stressed the need for the reintroduction of Teachers’ Training Colleges.

Odili stated that it is unfortunate that persons without a background in education are now employed to train future leaders in schools in the country.

She described this as a “missing link,” which is also affecting society. She pointed out that the state of education, where inadequately trained teachers with high degrees and academic qualifications but without the necessary skills and proper foundation are teaching the younger generation, is a “colossal decay.”

Odili, who served as the Chairperson at a book presentation titled, “Dr. Christie Toby: Touching Lives, Raising Leaders,” in honour of the wife of the former deputy governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, maintained that core professionals should nurture the present and future generations to build an excellent nation that can hold its own firmly in the community of nations.

“The introductory part of my discourse is a buildup to what I have found distressing in our educational system. I do not know what informed the authorities to phase out the Teachers’ Training Colleges.

“That is why we are now foisted with some half-baked teachers with very high degrees and academic qualifications but without the foundational base to properly teach our young ones,” Justice Odili stated.

The retired Supreme Court Justice added, “That faulty foundation is what has led us to the situation we now find ourselves in, where untrained persons are now training our future leaders in all spheres of life.”

She urged the government at all levels to revisit the policy with a view to reintroducing it to the educational system.

“It is these findings that have made me anxious to be heard on the need for the authorities to revisit the matter of Teachers’ Training Colleges with a view to reestablishing them so as to harness our young properly and appropriately,” Odili stated.

The state Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, noted that quality education for all remains one of the cardinal pillars of his administration.

Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, at the event, also lauded Dr. Toby for her achievements, especially in the educational sector.

He said, “Everything we have seen and heard today foretells the life of a quintessential and exemplary teacher, educationist, school proprietor, philanthropist.

“One trend that runs through your life is passion and selflessness. If you’re not that passionate and selfless, you couldn’t have been what you are. Everybody, even those of us who weren’t your students, have testified,” he added.

In her remarks, the honoree, Dr. Toby, said the book is a reflection of her efforts in impacting lives and the celebration of the collective efforts of those that have worked with her.

She said, “The biography is not just a reflection of my own achievements but a celebration of the collective efforts of everyone who has been a part of this journey. Thank you for your continued support and for the journey in this reflection of a life celebrated in raising children.

“It is my hope that the story shared within these pages will serve as a reminder of the positive impacts that education and passion can have on our world.”