The Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Femi Akinwumi has reiterated the commitment of the State government towards improving the capacity of teachers for improved service delivery in the basic education sector.
Prof. Akinwumi gave the remarks in Ado Ekiti while declaring open a training workshop on the use of mathematics kits for teachers of basic education in the state, organized by the National Mathematics Centre (NMC) Abuja in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
He commended the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for providing the enabling environment for the operation of teachers in the state, especially in the public primary schools which has led to appreciable improvement in the academic performance of pupils across the state.
The SUBEB Boss who described mathematicians at various levels of education as critical thinkers said mathematics teachers in the state public primary schools are highly skilled in a variety of topics as they teach the basics of the subject to the pupils towards preparing them as future professionals.
He said mathematics is so logical to the developmental goals of any nation hence the reason for making the subject one of the prerequisites for admission into any tertiary institutions.
Prof. Akinwumi promised that the state government would continue to support the centre by ensuring mathematics kits are provided for all public primary schools in the state.
The Chairman also charged the teachers to avail themselves the opportunity of knowledge gained from the training and demonstrate it to their pupils in order to better their performances.
Earlier, the Director and Chief Executive of the National Mathematics Centre, Prof. Promise Mebine described the support of Ekiti SUBEB for mathematics teachers as unique, stressing that the state government has practically done much to improve the quality of teachers by exposing them to various trainings at regular intervals.
Prof. Mebine said that the training is very relevant to both the teachers and their pupils who will learn faster and better when they are taught with objects they can feel or see rather than abstract things.
He therefore requested for government’s assistance for provision of mathematics kits in all the public primary schools in the state to aid the performance of teachers and the acquisition of mathematics knowledge by the pupils.
The Primary mathematics kit consists of items including instruction manuals and metal box, mainly for teachers’ demonstration and can be used for student activities.