COEASU holds International Teachers’s Day celebration as Prof.Faduyile solicits better Teachers’ welfare.
By Steve Ovirih.
Chairman, Committee of Governing Council Chairmen of Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria and Chairman Federal College of Education, FCE, Kontagora, Niger State, Prof. Dayo Faduyile, OON, has congratulated Nigerian Teachers as The 2024 International Teachers’ Day is marked. His congratulatory remark to teachers was given at The International Teachers’ Day Celebration and Awards Ceremony hosted by Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union ( COEASU). The celebration held at Ukeje Hall, NCCE ,Abuja on Friday, 4th October.
Prof.Faduyile who was the Chairman of the event, in his speech, said International Teachers Day is set aside to acknowledge and appreciate the laudable impact of teachers in the lives of young minds all over the world. “This epoch celebration is a momentous occasion as it makes both government and other stakeholders to recognize the unwavering efforts and tireless commitment of the educators and builders of tomorrow.”
He noted that just one day may not be enough to celebrate teachers who are the champions of education recovery in Nigeria and worldwide. “We make bold to state that our noble teachers are catalysts of growth , moulders of character , champions of inclusivity ,architects of knowledge on whose shoulder lies the hope of generation next.
” Thus, a day like this afford all stakeholders opportunity to appreciate teachers for their seflessness, patience and passion for teaching and learning which have helped to shape minds , cultivate critical thinking and foster creativity.”
He noted that he doesn’t belong to the school of thought that says ‘ teachers gains are in heaven’ , stressing that teachers no doubt have special place in heaven for their efforts in building all the experts across the different discipline ,but on earth here, teachers must be made to enjoy their commitment to the all round growth of children in primary, secondary schools and in the higher institutions of learning, particularly the colleges of education , which are the power house of teachers’ training.
The University Don noted that the best way to consolidate our educational system is to prioritize value system that places core premium on teachers welfare and encourage student- learning approach.
Prof. Faduyile also called for change of teaching and learning approach and improvement in the curricular in the colleges of education , while saluting the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union ( COEASU) for being a dependable partner in the education sub sector.
The celebration also featured presentation of scholarship awards to six students of colleges of education across the six geopolitical zones with each of the awardees going home with five hundred thousand Naira cheque , while the over all best student in all the colleges of education in Nigeria, Mr. Latona Mubarak of Federal College of Education, Iwo Osun State was presented with a cheque of One Million Naira.
The event also featured good will addresses from stakeholders like the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, Executive Secretary , National Council of Colleges of Education, NCCE, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Executive Secretary , Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President, Prof. Oshodeke, ASUU President, Architect Sunny Echono, Executive Secretary TETFUND, Prof.Faruk Rashid, Chairman Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, National President, COEASU and others.
Professor Josiah Ajiboye, Former Registrar , Teachers Registration Council, TRCN, who was the guest lecturer, noted that Nigerian Teachers are among the best in Africa , giving statistics of a huge percentage of teachers who have been sucked into the teaching programmes in United Kingdom and Canada.
While saluting Nigerian Teachers, Prof. Ajiboye said teachers are not just implementers but also beneficiaries of education reform since they help drive reforms by continuously improving their practice ,engaging in lifelong learning and sharing innovative ideas with peers.
