In a bold move to elevate the standard of education across public schools, the Bayelsa State Government, through its Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF), has teamed up with the British Council and the Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board (TTRCB) to build the capacity of 1,000 teachers.
This week marks the commencement of a five-day intensive training for the final batch of 400 public school teachers in Yenagoa, capping off what has been described as “a deliberate investment” in teacher professionalism. According to the British Council, the programme has already trained 60 resource persons — local educators who will cascade their new skills to their peers.
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Sharpening the Tools: Modern Methods, Digital Skills, School Leadership
At the opening ceremony, Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving learning outcomes by upgrading pedagogical practices. He noted that the commitment is already bearing fruit, citing how an improved teaching methodology contributed to one of the state’s students emerging as the overall best in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examination.
Prof. Ebimiowei Etebu, Executive Secretary of the EDTF, offered a vivid metaphor, telling teachers: “until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact in the hands of the farmer.” He underscored that the training is about more than just content delivery — it’s about equipping teachers to teach well, lead well, and continually improve.
The British Council’s Head of English and Schools, Mr. Fwanshishak Daniel, explained that the curriculum covers modern teaching methods, the use of digital learning tools, self-development, and access to school — all designed to give teachers the confidence and competence to thrive in today’s learning environments.
Strong Institutional Backing and Stakeholder Praise
Throughout the programme, the EDTF Board has shown resolve and vision. Chairman Fidelis Agbiki applauded the Bayelsa government and British Council for their bold and sustained commitment, encouraging the final batch of teachers to take full advantage of the training.
Dr. Alice Atuwo, who leads the Development Partners Committee of the EDTF, expressed similar sentiments, highlighting that media attention and public support have made the initiative possible.
On the regulatory side, Dr. Peremoboere Ugolo, Acting Chairman of the TTRCB, praised the strategic deployment of world-class teaching resources. She also shared that some newly recruited teachers are currently enrolled in training programmes at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
Why This Matters: Quality Education, Local Leadership & Long-Term Impact
This partnership between Bayelsa State and the British Council is more than a one-off training exercise — it is a long-term investment in educational quality and local leadership. By training 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers, and 60 resource personnel, the programme could have a multiplier effect: trained teachers become mentors and leaders themselves.
A well-trained teaching workforce translates into stronger classroom instruction, more effective school leadership, and improved learning outcomes for students. According to Prof. Etebu, sharpening teachers’ skills now will yield dividends in the classroom for years to come.
For the British Council, such a project aligns with its broader mission in Nigeria: to support education systems with global expertise, while strengthening local capacity and improving access to high-quality learning.
Challenges & the Road Ahead
While this milestone is worth celebrating, sustaining the gains will require continuous funding, strong monitoring, and support for teachers as they implement new methods in real classrooms. The British Council has laid the foundation, but Bayelsa’s government and the TTRCB must now keep the momentum going post-training.
There’s also a broader issue of scale: other states could learn from Bayelsa’s example. If more sub-national governments replicated this model — leveraging partnerships with organisations like the British Council and investing in cascading resource personnel — the nation’s overall education quality could improve significantly.
Conclusion
By the time this final batch of 400 teachers completes their training, Bayelsa State will have reached its goal of building capacity in 1,000 public school teachers — backed by world-class resources and deep institutional support. It is a concrete step towards more empowered educators and better learning for students.
In a country where the quality of teaching is often cited as a major barrier to educational progress, Bayelsa’s investment may well serve as a powerful model for other states to follow.
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