The Office of the Vice President Kashim in partnership with the North-East Development Commission under its Managing Director, Mohammed G. Alkali, has trained 100 teachers in Adamawa State on digital literacy.
This initiative follows similar training programmes earlier conducted across Borno State, Yobe State, Gombe State, and Bauchi State.
Speaking during the two-day Academic Support and Skills Enhancement Programme (ASSEP) in Yola, Dr Mariam Masha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development Programmes, said the training focused on Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Agriculture (STEMA) teachers in senior secondary schools across the North-East.
She explained that the programme, a collaboration between the Vice President’s office and the NEDC, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. According to her, the initiative is designed to bridge educational gaps and equip teachers with essential digital and technical skills needed for effective teaching in a modern, technology-driven economy.
Representing Dr Alkali, the NEDC Adamawa State Coordinator, Khalifa Lawan, noted that the prolonged insurgency in the region made urgent educational interventions necessary. He explained that the commission considers education a top priority, linking insecurity partly to limited access to quality education and awareness.
He added that the NEDC has carried out rapid interventions, including the rehabilitation of schools across 112 local government areas in the North-East. He further revealed that over half of the region’s teaching workforce had been lost, prompting efforts to train and retain educators, particularly at foundational levels.
Also speaking, Comrade Mahmud Muhammad, a member of the ASSEP Project Implementation Team, expressed satisfaction with Adamawa State’s participation, noting that the programme would enhance teachers’ ability to integrate digital tools into their teaching methods and make learning more engaging for students.
The Commissioner for Education in Adamawa State, Dr Umar Pella, represented by Permanent Secretary Aisha Umar, commended the Federal Government for the initiative. He emphasised that continuous teacher training is essential for improving classroom delivery, strengthening STEMA education, and boosting students’ academic performance.
Similarly, Prof. Augustine Okoronka of Modibbo Adama University described the programme as a positive step, stressing that education remains a critical driver of national development. He encouraged teachers to embrace lifelong learning by updating their knowledge and adopting modern teaching methods.
One of the participants, Kieran Godiya, described the training as timely, especially given the region’s security challenges. He noted that participants gained valuable insights into integrating artificial intelligence and inclusive teaching strategies to support diverse learners, including those with special needs.
