Jigawa Govt Trains 250 Arabic Teachers in Computer, Modern Teaching Skills
By Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Colleges of Education, Legal Studies Gumel and Ringim, has organized a five-day special training program for 250 Arabic language teachers from primary and junior secondary schools.
The training focused on equipping participants with computer literacy and modern teaching techniques.
During an inspection visit to the training centre at Takur Site Special Primary School, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Professor Haruna Musa, described the training as the first of its kind in both the state and the country.
“This training was designed in response to longstanding challenges in teaching methods and infrastructure, especially in the area of Arabic and Islamic studies at the basic education level,” he explained.
Professor Musa emphasized that the teachers would receive training in contemporary teaching methodologies, modern teaching aids, lesson planning, and effective classroom management specific to Arabic and Islamic knowledge.
“As part of this training, participants are being reoriented on innovative teaching practices,” he added. “We are emphasizing the importance of lesson planning. It’s common to find teachers entering the classroom with nothing but a cane, which may frighten pupils and damage the teacher-student relationship. This attitude needs to change.”
He acknowledged the support of the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, who approved and encouraged the initiative. “The governor’s support was instrumental in making this programme a reality,” he said.
SUBEB partnered with the two state-owned Colleges of Education in Gumel and Ringim, which provided 18 resource persons from various fields of Arabic and Islamic studies to facilitate the training.
“The training also focuses on professional appearance and grooming for teachers, stressing that a teacher serves as a role model for students,” Prof. Musa noted.
He reiterated that this is the first dedicated training for Arabic and Islamic studies teachers in Jigawa State. “The 250 participants were carefully selected based on merit from across the state. As the first batch, they are expected to replicate and share the knowledge gained with their colleagues.”
One of the participants, Malam Ibrahim Kude, commended Governor Umar Namadi and the Executive Chairman of SUBEB for the initiative, describing it as “a commendable step towards enhancing teaching quality and promoting effective learning.”
“This is the first time Arabic and Islamic studies teachers are receiving training specific to their teaching needs. I’m also impressed by the calibre of resource persons and the relevance of the training topics,” he said.
