Science, Mathematics education key to Nigeria’s dev’t -Stakeholders

From Mohammad Ibrahim Kaduna

National Teachers Institute, NTI, Director General Professor Garba Dahuwa Azare and National Coordinator Strengthen Mathematics and Science Education in Nigeria SMASE have underscored Science and Mathematics education as key to Nigeria’s development.
According to them, most developed nations focus on Science subjects to develop their human resources.
In his speech at the SMASE Cycle 3, 6 th Cohort/ Cycle 1 INSET capacity building Workshop for Teachers from Abuja, Anambra and Lagos States, NTI DG Professor Garba said no nation can develop without developing its teachers.
“ We can’t get there without Science and Mathematics teachers and if we want a better Nigeria, if we want our children to be compared to those in developed world we must focus on Science and Mathematics education,” he said.
The DG represented by Director Academic Services Prince Olude Ademola also added that Nigeria needs creative and innovative teachers if not no matter the equipment or materials put in schools nothing will change.
Also, National Coordinator SMASE Project at the Federal Ministry of Education, Chimezie Aguiyi said science and Mathematics education is very important because it’s also a key to economic development of any country.
According to him, Nigeria has all its takes to develop its economy through science education.
He explained that country like Japan doesn’t have the kind of landscape Nigeria has yet they were able to develop because of their human resources.
He said the SMASE workshop is not any how workshop as he urged other states to send in their teachers to acquire modern techniques of teaching Mathematics and Science subjects.
The National Coordinator commended NTI management for doing a good job in the area of Teachers training across the country.
Director of the SMASE centre, Dr Hafsat Lawal Kwantagora commended Lagos State for participating in the teachers training for the first time as she assured them that they will never be the same after the training because there would be changes in their mode of teaching.
Dr Hafsat said NTI is concerned about upgrading teachers’ quality particularly on mathematics and Science education.