Under the Teacher Professional Development initiative, the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the non-profit organization Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) are collaborating to provide intensive training to teachers and government officials.

Over the course of two weeks, 2,625 primary school teachers and 50 officials from 17 Local Government Areas received training.

Over the course of two weeks, 2,625 primary school teachers and 50 officials from 17 local government areas received training at six different locations.

The participants were exposed to the specialist literacy teaching practices known as “Jolly Phonics” for three days in each center.

Teachers gain the knowledge and skills necessary to teach the fundamentals of literacy to children in early childhood classes and students in grades one, two, and three in public schools.

Jolly Phonics is a joyful and interactive teaching tool that leverages the synthetic phonics literacy teaching style, according to Mr Patrick Uzu, ULS’ Nigeria Country Director.

Governments all across the globe have legislated or encouraged synthetic phonics because of how rapidly it teaches youngsters the skills they need to read and write.

Mr. Gary Foxcroft, CEO of ULS, said the initiative, now in its fifth year in Plateau State, had grown.

“The Plateau State Jolly Phonics is a fantastic opportunity for all children in Plateau State to benefit from the opportunity to learn to read and write. The project will, therefore, help increase equity and equal opportunities for all children in Plateau State.”

Foxcroft also praised the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for continuing to support the use of Jolly Phonics in Nigerian government schools.

Source : The Nation