The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to creating safer, inclusive and supportive learning environments for children across Nigeria through enhanced teacher training and capacity development.
The ministry made this known in Abuja during a three-day Master Trainers Workshop on Safe Learning Environment, Gender-Responsive Pedagogy and ICT Skills for Educators in Teacher Training Institutions.
The workshop is being organised as part of the ministry’s collaboration with UNESCO, the Government of Japan and other development partners to strengthen teacher preparation and promote inclusive education.
Representing the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the Director of the College of Education, Dr Uchenna Uba, said increased access to education must be accompanied by adequate protection, inclusion and effective learning.
Uba highlighted the importance of the National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools, stressing the need for teachers to be equipped to identify abuse, respond appropriately and safeguard the dignity and wellbeing of learners.
She disclosed that 45 master trainers drawn from 15 teacher training institutions are participating in the programme.
According to her, the participants are being trained in gender-responsive pedagogy, safe learning environments, prevention and response to school-related gender-based violence, as well as the integration of information and communication technology into teaching.
The trained master trainers are expected to cascade the knowledge and skills acquired to approximately 500 teachers and educators across participating institutions.
The Federal Ministry of Education also reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with UNESCO, Japan and the African Union in advancing teacher development, learner protection and inclusive education across the country.
The ministry said the initiative underscores its broader efforts to ensure that Nigerian children have access not only to education but also to learning environments where their safety, dignity and individual needs are protected.
