Bayelsa Govt, British Council Partner to Build Teachers Capacity
Philip Eke, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa state government had some months ago, commenced a joint initiative with the British Council and the Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board (TTRC) aimed at building the capacity of 1,000 public school teachers.
During an opening ceremony to kick-start a five-day training of the teachers in Yenagoa, the State capital, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah reiterated the government’s commitment in upgrading teaching skills across the schools.
Dr. Emelah attributed Bayelsa State’s improved teaching standards to the deliberate investment made in capacity building, noting that the process was yielding positive results as one of its students emerged overall best at the 2025 West African School Certificate Examination.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the State’s EDTF, Professor Ebimiowei Etebu, explained that the collaboration with the British Council was basically to improve learning outcomes in public primary and secondary schools.
Professor Etebu said, “You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact in the hands of the farmer. It is the same with our teachers — they must be sharpened to deliver effectively in their classrooms.”
He appreciated the British Council for partnering with the Bayelsa State government to upgrade the capacities of 1,000 teachers and 50 education managers as well as 60 resource persons.
In his address, the Chairman of the EDTF Board, Fidelis Agbiki, commended the Bayelsa State government for the bold initiative and urged the last batch of 400 teachers to make good use of the opportunity.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the EDTF Development Partners Committee, Dr. Alice Atuwo, noted that the teacher capacity building programme received public support due to the commitment of partners especially the media.
Similarly, the Head of English and Schools at the British Council, Mr. Fwanshishak Daniel, noted that the will of the State government to educational advancement enabled all stakeholders involved to achieve success in record time.
He said that the British Council deployed relevant materials and expertise to support the state, including training 60 resource persons, who would be required to step down the programme for the benefit of more teachers.
According to him, the curriculum focused on modern teaching methods, digital learning tools, self-development and improved access to schooling.
The Acting Chairman of the TTRC, Dr. Peremoboere Ugolo, praised the fund for leveraging what he described as world-class resources to enhance teacher training in the state, adding “We have some newly recruited teachers currently undertaking training courses at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area.”
