On this Boxing Day, let us reflect on a remarkable gift that keeps on giving Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s teachers’ training initiative. More than an education reform, this initiative stands as a cornerstone for rebuilding the future of Borno State. It addresses systemic challenges in education and lays a foundation for sustainable development, improved livelihoods, and societal progress.
The journey began with an ambitious competency test for 17,229 Local Education Authority teachers across the state. The results were a wake-up call: only 31% were deemed competent, 46% trainable, and 22% untrainable. Recognizing the pivotal role of qualified teachers in delivering quality education, Governor Zulum’s administration responded with compassion and strategy. Instead of punitive measures, the government launched a comprehensive training program to upgrade teachers’ skills and reintegrate them into the education system.
With over N2 billion invested, thousands of teachers are already benefitting. Programs, including sandwich and full-time National Certificate in Education (NCE) courses, are transforming trainable teachers at institutions like the Colleges of Education in Biu and Bama. Even untrainable teachers are not abandoned; alternative roles, such as environmental conservation, are being explored to ensure their livelihoods are safeguarded.
The short-term benefits are evident: teacher competence and welfare are being prioritized. Classrooms are now led by motivated and capable educators, with the introduction of minimum wages and automatic grade-level upgrades reflecting the administration’s commitment to professionalizing the workforce.
The long-term impact, however, is where the initiative truly shines. With better-trained teachers, students gain access to quality education, nurturing critical thinking, innovation, and leadership among Borno’s youth. These empowered young minds will drive socio-economic development, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for the state.
This initiative is more than a policy, it is a vision of hope. By investing in teacher competence and welfare, Governor Zulum is creating a legacy of resilience, progress, and opportunity for generations to come. It’s a gift that reinforces education as the bedrock of development, ensuring the people of Borno are equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.
As we celebrate Boxing Day, let us embrace this transformational initiative as a symbol of leadership that listens, learns, and acts decisively. Governor Zulum’s bold and compassionate approach is truly a gift to the people of Borno—a pathway to a brighter and more prosperous future.
