During an interactive session with a high level delegation from Rwanda, teachers in the Edo BEST programme were asked how they have benefited as individuals from the tech-based teaching method as well as the fact that their lesson notes are centrally developed. The participating teachers shared their excitement about the spontaneous transformation they have experienced. They said the initiative has improved their classroom management skills which have kept them physically fit and in shape, because unlike before when they were sedentary, sitting throughout, now they are standing during class which makes them more agile and it also makes the time go faster. Others claimed that Edo BEST has improved their reading and language skills as they now pride themselves on their efficient and accurate pronunciation of words in standard English phonetics and phonology. In their teacher’s tab are resources that they read to improve on their content knowledge and sharpen their mental acuity.
Speaking at the event, one of the participating teachers from Emwinobomwan Primary School in Egor LGA, a Primary 5 teacher, Mrs Uwagboe Patricia, stated that the centrally developed lesson plan has made the teaching and learning process fun-filled as pupils now actively participate in classroom activities.
The Deputy Director General of the Rwandan Education Board (REB), Angelique Tusiime, appreciated the fact that they got to meet different stakeholders and could spend significant time at some Edo BEST schools to really understand how the programme works. “We came to Nigeria to be informed on our future decision for improvement and to see what fits our context of education”, she noted.
The Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe stated that it was a great opportunity, having to share Edo BEST practices with the delegates from Rwanda. According to her, “involving our teachers in these sort of high level events whether in country or abroad is in line with the vision of Governor Godwin Obaseki to restore the dignity and prestige of the teaching profession. On their own, our teachers are also rising to the occasion. We want to have the best primary school teachers in Nigeria, Africa and among the best in the world! That’s our mission and we don’t need any permission. The growing intellectual curiosity of our teachers was also reflected in the quality of questions they asked the Rwandan delegation. Without prompting, our teachers researched the country, the issue of genocide, the psychic injury that was inflicted on the populace and how that subsequently manifested in the classroom.”
She noted that sharpening the mind of the pupils and teachers is a cardinal objective of the educational policies and programmes of SUBEB which the Edo BEST initiative accurately represents.
Edo BEST provides quality education for every child
Photo Caption:
Photo 1: 2nd left, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Education Board (REB), Angelique Tusiime, Registrar General Rwanda Development Board, Louise Kanyonga, Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, Senior Partner Rwanda Trust Law Chambers, Richard Mugisha, Head of Quality Assurance Rwanda Ministry of Education, Benjamin Kageruka, M.D ICTA, Lambert Ugorji, Edo SUBEB Board Members
Photo 3: 3rd right, Chief Skills Officer Rwanda Development Board, Elodie Rusera