President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the commitment of teachers in Nigeria through their contribution to the country’s educational sector, while adding that his administration will improve the standard of teaching.
The president made the statement at the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja yesterday, October 5. He was represented by the Secretary to the government of the Federation, (SGF), Babachir Lawal.
Buhari also ordered that only those adequately prepared and regulated should be involved in teaching and learning process even as he said his government will empower teachers through federal government agencies.
The president opined that reforms in the education sector cannot function without a fundamental change of the attitude, orientation and behavior of teachers, The Nation reports.
He said: ”It is commonly acknowledge that the quality of learning depends, first and foremost, on the quality of teachers. Consequently, in 1966 the international community adopted a standard to promote quality teachers and teaching.
”In this new world order, knowledge is power and all the strategic sectors of society are expected to be manned only by individual whose capabilities and understanding of the sectors are not in any way doubtful.
”Logically therefore, like other professions, only those who are adequately prepared and regulated should be entrusted with the teaching and learning process.
“It is against this backdrop that the federal government has not relented in its efforts to improve the standard of teaching through the activities of agencies like the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, National Teacher’s Institute, National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Universities Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and various faculties and departments of institutions of higher learning.
”These institutions are directed towards the realization of government’s goals in the improvement of quality of teacher education programs, registration and licensing processes and, the overall professionalization of teaching.
“However, this process cannot function without a fundamental change in the attitude, orientation and behavior of teacher towards greater values, ideals and practices.
”A comprehensive ethical framework is, therefore, required to define what the new values, ideals and practices should be. There might also be the need for the new legal instruments and programs that are designed to enforce the provisions of the ethical framework.