In a bid to revitalize its education sector, the Bayelsa State Government has entered into a partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to launch the "Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS)" project.
The three-day event, which kicked off on Monday September 23, 2024 at the Education House in Ovom, Yenagoa, aims to bolster teacher capacity, enhance youth empowerment, and transform the state's education landscape. This collaborative initiative is timely, aligning perfectly with the Prosperity Administration's ASSURED agenda, which prioritizes education diversification.
Dr. Gentle E. Emelah, the State Commissioner for Education, who was also chairman of the event expressed profound gratitude to the EU and UNESCO for selecting Bayelsa as one of the six benefiting states in Nigeria. He assured the partners of the government's unwavering commitment to the project's success, emphasizing the administration's dedication to improving education outcomes.
“The EISS programme was timely and in consonance with the Prosperity Administration's ASSURED agenda in diversifying education,” he expressed.
Also, UNESCO consultant, Mrs. Paulina Pam, underscored the pivotal role teachers play in shaping future generations.
“Teachers are the bedrock of education; they inspire, nurture and guide future generations,” she stated.
“The EISS program focuses on strategic areas of intervention, including reviewing education policies and career paths for teachers, enhancing teacher capacity through pre-service and in-service education programs, and strengthening teacher-student collaboration and learning teams at school and community levels in Bayelsa state.
“The program's overall objectives are multifaceted, review, strengthen and implement education policies and programmes by addressing teacher shortages and improving work conditions, develop expanded teacher education programs with a focus on resilience in fragile contexts and Foster better connections between teachers, students, and communities,
Mrs. Pam appealed to education stakeholders to actively engage with the program, ensuring its success. She emphasized that stakeholder participation would enable UNESCO to gather vital data, identifying areas requiring targeted interventions.
This landmark partnership between the Bayelsa State Government, EU, and UNESCO marks a significant milestone in the state's education transformation journey. By empowering teachers and youths, the EISS project will have a lasting impact on Bayelsa State's future, driving growth, development, and prosperity.
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