All school teachers in Bayelsa State are expected to pass
necessary examinations prescribed by the supervising authorities for them to be
absorbed into the new education  system.

Such  examinations
will be based on what they are teaching the pupils at the end of the on-going
training programmes for teachers in the state.

The state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, who expressed his
government’s   commitment to the
training and welfare of teachers, stated
that this is the most critical component in the education sector.

Hon. Dickson noted that while his administration strives to
equip teachers with modern methods of teaching and instructional materials,
they are expected to put in their optimum performance in imparting requisite
knowledge.

He also underscored the need for teachers as custodians of
children to go back to the basics by focusing on instilling the right values in
children in the moulding of their character.

As a mark of government’s commitment  towards transforming education
infrastructure, the governor announced the completion of the Teachers Training
Institute which is a part of the state College of Education at Sagbama .

Hon. Dickson, who disclosed that government will have
regular interaction with headmasters and principals in the state, also decried
lobbying by teachers on postings to urban areas, adding that  some teachers will be sent abroad for
training, who will in turn train others.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo
remarked that 2,000 teachers are expected to participate in the workshop, while
additional 3,000 will undergo similar training, bringing the total number of
trainees to 5,000.

Also speaking, the Acting Executive Secretary, Universal
Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Prof. C.O Onocha said the commission places
great premium on the continuous development of
professional skills of teachers.

Prof. Onocha, who was represented by Prof Sylvester Enyinaya
commended Governor Dickson for the steps taken so far to revamp the education
sector.