‘We will Train Job Creators, not Job Seekers’, Plateau Commissioner For Education

By Deborah Akassa and Joy Bala

   The Plateau Commissioner for Education has expressed the ministry's commitment to produce graduate entrepreneurs who are job creators not job seekers. This it hopes to achieve through training and retraining of teachers for effective learning.

    The Commissioner who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education (Secondary) Mrs. Keziah Ishaya gave the assurance in her office in Jos recently during the  official presentation of certificates to Plateau State delegates that attended a conference organized by African Forum For Innovative Teachers (AFFIT).

According to her, more teachers will be trained so as to upgrade the educational system in Plateau state. She said, ” we need teachers that are more innovative in order to teach effectively, as this will make our graduates entrepreneurs, they will be job creators.

In her speech, Mrs lshaya said the Governor is passionate about education and this has helped the ministry to kick start a capacity building workshop in Pankshin for Mathematics and English teachers, which has not been done for the past 8 years.

She added that the government is also interested in training more teachers so as to upgrade the educational system in Plateau state for effective learning which will be a continuous process.

   While congratulating the conference participants on their induction as AFFIT fellows,the Permanent Secretary promised that the ministry will take up  their concerns on reviewing the curriculum to introduce innovations to bridge the gaps in the curriculum and the need to look into the issue of grants to grant aided schools in the state.

Highlight of the program is the presentation of certificate of induction to the participants as AFFIT fellows and a cheque of #200,000 donated to Dalo Memorial High School Foron by AFFIT to help in the renovation of their staff quarters that was gutted by fire sometimes in March this year.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates and AFFIT fellows from Plateau state, the principal, Dalo memorial high School Foron, Pastor Pam Andrew Bot said AFFIT is an initiative dedicated to transforming lives and empowering individuals across the African continent.

   According to him, the Initiative focuses on three major areas which includes leadership development,  practical entrepreneurship and value addition, as well as educational projects, research campaigns, teachers development training and many others.

He thanked the ministry for the opportunity to attend the conference which has built their capacity to be innovative in their teaching profession.