About Forty (40) teaches have been trained as English Language skills in Rivers State.

The Rivers State Government said it is concerned about the future of the youths and that the best legacy it can leave for them is good and qualitative education.

Director, Higher education in the Ministry of Education, who represented both the commissioner and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Mae Solomon, stated this at the closing ceremony of the Teachers Training Programme organised by Etisalat and British Council in Port Harcourt.

Mrs Mae Solomon said the training by the two organisations in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has not only imparted knowledge and skills to the teachers but has equally contributed to the education of the students.

Her words: “It is my belief that when the teachers put the acquired knowledge and skills gathered during this training to practice, it will have a multiplier effect on the students.

According to her, English is the major language of communication in Nigeria especially here in Rivers State stressing that all other subjects in the school are taught in English.

Therefore, she said, a good grasp of the language would enhance the performance of the students in other subjects because, before you answer any question, you have to understand it first.

She called on other orgnaisations operating in the state to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

Mrs Solomon told newsmen that the models were already equipped with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and assured that the state government would do more.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Denloye Enitari, expressed optimism that the training would further enhance the teachers dedication in imparting qualitative education and equip them with the requisite tools to boost academic excellence in Nigeria.

“Education is important to the rural/urban dwellers. It is a very important sector for Nigeria especially if she wants to develop.

“If you look at the developed countries, like India, Brazil, China etc, a lot of the growth they have been able to achieve has been done through focusing on education,” he explained.

The centre Manager, British Council, Port Harcourt, Ijeoma Arguba, said teaching and learning of English and education generally form core part of the organisation’s strategy.

She was confident that British council imparted positively on what the teachers would deliver to their students.

In his speech, the Resource person, Mr. Akani Akiodi, noted that his experience with the teacher was the best so far.

The trainer said he had a class of teachers who knew their stuff and just came to improve on what they already knew.

Responding on behalf of the teachers, Mrs. Joyce Akani explained that they were taught how to interact with the children not minding the number of students in the class.

She further said that they also had revision on writing lesson notes and other things that would aid them deliver their lessons to students.

Eunice Choko-Kayode