Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Akoka Chapter has indicated its readiness to champion the reform of the old method of teaching to fit into the 21st century E-Generation method.
The indication was given at the 5th National Conference of the union tagged ‘21st Century Teacher Education Programme: Technological, Pedagogical and content requirements’ held recently at the Federal College of Education, Akoka,
Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, COEASU Akoka Chapter, Comrade Oje Ebenezer, said the advancement of the country depends on the quality of teacher in the education sector.
Ebenezer who stated that the depth of teachers’ knowledge would determine the quality of their teaching said, “This theme is apt and relevant to the advancement of teachers’ education in our dear country since no nation can rise beyond the levels of her teachers.
“As serious stakeholders in the development of education in Nigeria, it is imperative that we take a second look at the package dispensed to our products so that education in Nigeria would not be operating in the Paleolithic age in this jet age.”
Ebenezer spoke on the need to appraise the teaching capacity and commitment of teachers in a bid to move them from using the old method for
teaching.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Ritman University, Ikot – Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Nsongurua Udombana, who gave the keynote address on the occasion highlighted the difference between the old and the new teaching method.
Noting that the country is using the 19th century teaching skills on the E-generation, he said, “It is obvious today that teachers, especially in Nigeria, are still operating within a structure and framework that are based within the 19th century construct of pen-paper- chalk boards. It is difficult to apply the old techniques in the current teaching-learning activities. It is, therefore, significant that we draw a line of demarcation between Teacher Education of the 19th century and the 21st Century.”
He maintained that technology has become a major tool of contemporary teaching and learning. Hence, he advised teachers against the use of obsolete concepts for teaching saying they must move along with the trend.
In the lead paper at the event, a Mathematics and Statistics lecturer, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adedayo, recommended that teachers should acquire a minimum of first degree for quality educational background.
The guest lecturer harped on the need for teachers to acquire knowledge on the use of modern technological tools for improved teaching.
