Determined to boost vocational and skills training in Nigeria, the Federal Government on Wednesday made concrete moves to empower and reposition the Technical Teachers Training Programme (TTTP).
According to the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, the TTTP is crucial in inculcating skills and vocational training on students.
Recall that the Federal Government has given deadline of January 2025 for all schools in Nigeria to implement the new basic curriculum that will embrace skills and trade learning for students as it plans to implement the new curriculum for senior secondary schools from September 2025.
The Education Minister during the Annual Sensitisation Meeting of Stakeholders of TTTP in Abuja on Wednesday, noted that challenges facing the TTTP will be squarely addressed to make technical teachers function effectively and also have access to emerging technologies and facilities.
The Minister said the theme, "Developing 21st Century Technical Teachers: Preparing for the Future", aligns with the Ministry's vision to revolutionize education for a rapidly changing world.
He said "As we stand at the threshold of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we recognize the urgent need to equip our Technical Teachers with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
"Technical Teachers are the bedrock of our educational system, in the TVET and Skills development eco-system, hence it is our responsibility to ensure they are empowered to deliver high-quality education that fosters innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
"Today we gather to reaffirm our commitment to this vital programme and chart a course for its success." he said
In order to strategically position TTTP, the Minister said that the following challenges of TVET in both formal and informal sectors have been identified.
He listed the challenges to include : Public apathy towards TVET leading to low enrolment in the Technical Schools; Inability to review Curricula within the five years' time frame; Lack of tools and equipment or obsolete equipment in our Colleges; Usage of Curricula that is supply-driven instead of demand-driven; Low enrolment of girls child in TVET programmes, Low morale of TVET teachers due to poor remuneration.
Others are Dearth of teaching staff with 21st century pedagogy skills and cognate industry experience relevant for the training of students to meet the needs of employers; Lack of effective linkages with industries to facilitate exposure to the use of modern methods, processes and technology; Lack of adequate infrastructural support for ICT applications in TVET Institutions; Lack of political will and legislation on TVET at various levels of governance; and Inadequate funding for delivery of the National Vocational
Qualifications Framework (NVQF), among others.
Prof Mamman noted that the challenges made the former Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu at the GIZ (SKYE) sponsored conference on "Repositioning TVET through Policy and Legislative Options" declared that Education system of any country is too strategic and sensitive to be treated like any other sector without addressing the challenges.
According to him, the former Minister had therefore cautioned that "the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals' (SDGs) in 2030 would be a mirage if it is not hinged on solid TVET system with a well-articulated and purposefully driven TTTP system."(November 2021)."
Prof Mamman said that "The TTTP initiative is a beacon of hope for our future skills development and entrepreneurship of our future generation. It embodies our collective vision for better tomorrow. As we move forward, let us remember the power of collaboration and the importance of stakeholders' engagement.
"Through this programme, we aim to: Enhance the pedagogical skills of our technical teachers, Integrate emerging technologies into teaching and learning, Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, Develop a culture of continuous professional development.
"Together we can achieve greatness. I am passionately inviting all the stakeholders to let us work hand - in - hand to make the TTTP initiative a resounding success." the Minister stated.
Making the Opening Remarks earlier, the Permanent Secretary; Dr. Nasir Gwarzo, said "Today, we gather to reaffirm our commitment to enhancing the quality of Technical Education in public secondary schools and Technical Colleges where we embark on a transformative journey to revolutionize Technical Education in our public secondary schools.
"In today's knowledge-driven economy, it is imperative that we equip our students with the skills, competencies, and expertise required to thrive in an increasingly complex and technologically advanced world.
"This theme resonates deeply, as we recognize the critical role our educators play in shaping the future of our nation. By equipping them with the necessary technical expertise, we empower them to transform the lives of our students and drive socio-economic progress."
To achieve this, the Permanent Secretary said Nigeria must first empower the Technical Teachers with the latest pedagogies, technologies, and industry-relevant skills.
"This comprehensive training programme aims to do just that - upgrade the capacity of our Technical Teachers in all public secondary schools and Technical colleges.
"Today, we will engage in robust discussions, share innovative strategies, and explore best practices to enhance the capacity of our technical teachers. I urge you all to actively participate, share your expertise, and collaborate towards our common goal of excellence in Technical Education.
Let us work together to equip our educators, transform our education system, and build a brighter future for our nation." he said
On her part, the Director, Technology and Science Education Department, Mrs. M. A. Olodo, in her welcome address, said "We are living in an era of rapid technological advancements, and the role of technical education has never been more crucial in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. The 21st-century teacher is no longer just an instructor but a guide, a mentor, and an innovator.
"Preparing our technical teachers for this evolving role is key to ensuring that our students acquire the skills and competencies they need to succeed in a globally competitive environment.
"As we gather here today, we acknowiedge the critical role our Technical Teachers play in shaping the future of our nation. We recognize that the future of education depends not only on modern infrastructure or curricula but also on the people who impart knowledge; the teachers and there is the need to equip them with the necessary expertise, tools and resources to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic growth and remain at the forefront of education and technology."
According to her, the meeting provides a platform to share ideas, experiences, and best practices in Technical Education.
"Over the next few hours, we will engage in productive discussions, workshops, and networking sessions aimed at transforming our education system and there is the need to emphasize innovation in teaching methods.
The use of digital tools, hands-on learning, and industry-driven curriculum, she said, should be key in shaping tomorrow's technical professionals.