Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially launched a large-scale teacher training initiative targeting 18,000 primary and junior secondary school teachers across the state’s 33 local government areas.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Emmanuel College, Agbowo, Ibadan, the governor—represented by Deputy Governor Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal—also commenced the distribution of digital tablets and instructional materials as part of efforts to modernize teaching methods and improve education standards.
The programme is part of an education reform initiative supported by the Global Partnership in Education and funded by the World Bank, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Makinde emphasized that the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to keeping pace with global trends in education, stressing the importance of transitioning from analogue to digital teaching methods.
“We’re ensuring our teachers are equipped to teach in a digital era. These tablets, preloaded with subject-specific content and teaching apps, are vital tools to enhance both teaching and learning,” he said.
The training is scheduled to last two weeks, ensuring that all 18,000 teachers are adequately trained in using the devices. Makinde noted that this shift would not only improve classroom delivery but also better prepare students to compete on national and international levels.
“You can’t teach in analogue when the world has gone digital. This method is here to stay,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders—including BESDA, SUBEB, TESCOM, UBEC, and the Ministry of Education—for their contributions to the success of the programme, urging teachers to justify the government’s investment with dedication and excellence.
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