By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State has concluded a year-long digital skills and modern teaching capacity-building programme that trained 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers, and 60 master trainers across the state, marking a major step toward strengthening public education.
The final phase of the initiative ended on Friday with a five-day workshop for 400 public primary and secondary school teachers in Yenagoa. The programme was implemented through a partnership among the Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF), the British Council, and the Teachers Registration and Certification Board (TTRC).
Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, said the state’s outstanding performance in the 2025 WASSCE—where Bayelsa produced the overall best candidate in Nigeria—was the result of intentional investments in teacher development.
“These programmes are sharpening our teachers to deliver world-class education,” he said.
EDTF Executive Secretary, Prof. Ebimiowei Etebu, underscored the need for continuous professional development, using a vivid metaphor to describe the importance of the training.
“A blunt cutlass makes farming difficult. Until our teachers are well sharpened, optimal classroom delivery will remain a challenge,” he noted.
Chairman of the TTRC Board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki, urged the newly trained teachers to demonstrate results in their classrooms, stressing that the era of “business as usual” was over. He also assured that the board would enforce strict accountability measures.
British Council Head of English and Schools, Mr. Fwanshishak Daniel, praised Bayelsa for its efficient execution of the programme, noting that the state achieved within one year what typically takes others three.
He added that the 60 newly certified master trainers will now lead sustained, in-house training across all local government areas, ensuring continuity.
Chairperson of the EDTF Development Partners Committee, Dr. Alice Atuwo, and TTRC Chairperson, Dr. Peremoboere Ugolo, disclosed that hundreds of recently recruited teachers are currently undergoing similar training at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that the transformative programme has repositioned public education in Bayelsa, placing the state among Nigeria’s most improved and high-performing education systems.
