President Goodluck Jonathan reaffirmed the government’s position on its commitment towards addressing the challenges in the nation’s educational sector when he advised teachers to play positive roles in the development of the sector.
Jonathan who gave the assurance while declaring open the 2013 World Teachers’ Day called on teachers to act as agents of positive change.
He reassured the teachers of government’s plans to boost the capacity of teachers to deliver qualitative education.
He however confirmed that government had been able to trained 40,000 teachers at the National Teachers Institute (NTI).
Jonathan was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the event.
He also urged the teachers to work harder toward imparting useful knowledge, discipline and patriotism to the younger generation.
“On this important Teachers Day, we are making a call for teachers to give their utmost in achieving our education goals. We are calling for teachers who love the profession, not just teachers who impart knowledge to earn a living.
“We are calling for effective teachers, who assume ownership of the classroom, invest time with students and work creatively for their success. Indeed, we are making a call for teachers both in service and out of service, to act as agents of positive change and transformation for our dear nation’’, he said.
He also said that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has been able to support the training of 5,000 lecturers across higher educational institutions nationwide.
He advised stakeholders in the sector to support the teachers in their sacred assignment of building the present and future leaders of the country.
While commending the teachers for their immense contributions in the field of medicine, science, technology, politics and the economy, the president also noted that the role of the teachers in sustainable development cannot be over emphasized.