UNICEF trains 120 in Cross River schools

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commenced the training of 120 persons on “Parental Engagement on Playful Learning” in Cross River schools.

This is a pilot capacity training programme for participants in the state on learning culture in schools across the state.

Delivering a lecture at Government Secondary School, Igoli in Ogoja local government area at the weekend for pilot beneficiaries, the lead facilitator, Dr. Asabe Ismaila, said the capacity training programme started in Ogoja with the training of 40 participants drawn from the five local governments that make up the Northern Senatorial District of the state.

She added that the next training will be held in Yakurr LGA from September 16 to 19, while that of Biase LGA will be from September 23 to 26, 2024, with 40 participants each.

According to her, the idea behind the programme, which is already being injected into school curriculums across the nation through the Ministry of Education, is to engage parents, teachers, and pupils on the need to identify a time to play while learning.

She added, “In a conscious effort to domesticate this aspect in the school curriculum in Cross River, a capacity-building programme has commenced across the three senatorial districts in the state.”

She also stressed the relevance of a solid foundation for children from the cradle, noting the need for teachers’ and parents’ commitment to new learning skills. She added that there are 7 Cs in this new curriculum: communication, collaboration, commitment, coordination, curriculum, community engagement, and constant participation.

Ismaila said these 7 Cs must be applied in school and at home to develop the cognitive abilities of the children.

She further stressed the need for quality education, describing it as of immense importance for the growing child.

Another facilitator, Dr. Terkula Uyeh, opined that the playful parental engagement workshop is designed to create a new horizon for children as they grow up.

He thanked UNICEF for sponsoring the programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, adding, “This will go a long way in building the mental health and alertness of the children.”

UNICEF Desk Officer for the State Ministry of Education, Mr. Ukom Benjamin, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for the partnership to promote the pilot scheme of parental engagement in playful development of the child ahead of the resumption of schools, which, according to him, will be speedily implemented.

UNICEF Desk Officer for the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Patrick Udida, noted that the standard of education is falling, hence the need to look inward and explore other areas to upgrade the system.

Some of the participants drawn from five local governments in the Northern Senatorial District expressed gratitude to UNICEF, adding that as pilot beneficiaries, they are in a better position to drive the process to enviable results.

The Executive Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Sebastian Egbaje, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, lauded UNICEF for its avowed commitment to the development of children in Nigeria. He maintained that the state government will always take proactive steps to complement such efforts.