Niger, UNICEF Train 500 Teachers to Boost Access to Learning for Underserved Children

UNICEF

The Niger State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in collaboration with UNICEF, has trained 500 teachers to enhance access to quality education for underserved and disadvantaged children across the state.

The three-day training, held for teachers from Munya, Shiroro, and Suleja Local Government Areas, focused on the effective use of the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP), a digital platform designed to support learning continuity for children, particularly in crisis-prone and hard-to-reach areas.

Bala Dada, Education Officer at the UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, said the initiative aims to register and enrol 50,000 children on the NLP platform, providing them with access to digital courses and learning resources.

He explained that the training was designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and digital skills needed to manage the NLP platform effectively, ensuring that more learners are reached through blended learning methods.

“By building the capacity of teachers, we are ensuring that education remains accessible, even in insecure or displaced communities. Trained teachers will now be able to combine both physical and digital learning to reach more vulnerable children,” Dada said.

Also speaking, Farouk Mashegue, UNICEF Focal Person at the Niger State Ministry of Education, noted that the exercise was aimed at improving teachers’ capacity to tackle challenges related to access, retention, and quality learning.

He added that participants were trained in digital literacy, including basic ICT skills, mobile applications, data entry, and the enrolment process on the NLP platform. The training also covered psychosocial support, inclusive teaching for learners in crisis areas, record management, and monitoring systems, as well as strategies for effective teacher deployment across the local government areas.

Mashegue emphasized that the initiative would strengthen the state’s education system by ensuring that no child is left behind, regardless of their location or circumstances.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *