Teachers summit in Nigeria: Experts make case for ICT training

The Greencircle Network organised the 2008 Teachers Summit with experts including the Director, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Francis Egbokhare advocating the adoption of compulsory information communication and technology training for teachers in the nation's school system.

 The Greencircle Network has been in the forefront of advocacy for teachers training and employment of ICT facilities for teaching and learning in the nation's schools, particularly public-owned institutions.

The experts canvassed this position during the 2008 Teachers Summit organised by Greencircle Network to equip teachers with new trends in teaching and learning, particularly the use of new ICT facilities for knowledge dissemination.

 Egbokhare who spoke on “Building a knowledge society: Integrating ICTs as a teaching and learning platform,” argued that since ICT had turned the world into a global village, any nation that failed to embrace opportunities in it for the development of its education sector would blame itself.

He called on about 1,000 teachers, who attended the summit to develop themselves in the use of ICT facilities in order to better their lot.

 “ICT has provided a platform where intellectual work, intellectual capital could be delivered from anywhere. It has provided a new power for individuals to collaborate and compete globally and the phenomenon that is enabling, empowering and enjoining individuals and small groups to go global so easily and seamlessly,” he said.

 He added that governments at all levels should encourage teachers by exposing them to new teaching methods offered by educational technology.

 Quoting the former Secreatry General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anna, the lecturer said, “A Technological revolution is transforming society in a profound way. If harnessed and directed properly, Information Communication Technology (ICTs) has the potential to improve all aspects of our social, economic and cultural lives. ICTs can serve as the engine of development in the 21st century.”

He advised teachers to change their attitude towards their jobs, saying that there were a lot of opportunities in the profession. He, however, added that any teacher that would enjoy the global opportunities in teaching must be ready to upgrade his skills, as this would make them wiser and marketable.

 “We can be knowledgeable with other people's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other people's wisdom,” he said.

 In his own remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Greencircle Network, Ladipo Oke, urged school owners and teachers to embrace new technology that would enhance teaching and learning in schools.