Osun partners ISLD to improve pupils’ English language literacy, proficiency 

Osun State is partnering with the Institute of Learning and Skills Development, to improve elementary school pupils’ English language literacy and proficiency through synthetic phonics.

The state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Tomori, who spoke Tuesday at the opening of a 2-day training programme for 1, 176 elementary school teachers and head teachers from across the state, said the state government was fully aware of the importance of “training the trainers,” who would be saddled with the task of transmitting the knowledge further down the line.

At the event, which took place at the A. U. D Government Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, he said the training would enhance the literacy skills of the pupils and enhance their latent abilities for proficiency in English language.

According to Tomori, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Fetus Olajide, the Rauf Aregbesola-led government was committed to building the capacity of its workforce for increased efficiency.

Chief Responsibility Officer of the institute, Dr. Olubusola Eshiet stated that the institute has identified synthetic phonics as a better way to teach language beginners, through Jolly Phonics method of teaching English language.

According to her, the method was developed by international researchers to proffer solutions to the traditional “cram and chant” rote learning; and was first introduced to the Nigerian education system in 2012, and piloted in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

She added that the method works well with learners at the basic education level as they are rapidly taught, starting with the smallest units of speech, to the sounds and building up bigger units by blending the sounds together.

Eshiet, author of a handbook titled: “Teaching Reading and Writing to Beginners,” (a synthetic phonics for second language teachers), delivered 180, 000 copies donated to the state by ISLD international partner, Jolly Learning UK, which also donated 150, 000 copies to Ondo State recently.