By Ireti Asemota.
To address the learning gaps in English and mathematics in the state’s elementary schools, the Cross River State administration has started an intensive teacher training program in collaboration with the World Bank’s Project Hope Education.
Professor Stephen Odey, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, said during a three-day workshop that the government is committed to investing in continuous professional development for teachers to improve educational outcomes. The workshop ran from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Teachers’ Continuous Training Institute (TCTI) in Biase and at centres in Ikom and Ogoja, enabling teachers from all three senatorial districts to participate.
The programme, themed “Enhancing Pedagogical Practices for Effective Teaching and Learning of English and Mathematics in Primary Schools,” is part of Governor Senator Bassey Otu’s People-First initiative to strengthen teacher competencies and classroom delivery. Professor Odey emphasized that the aim is to develop competent and resourceful educators capable of delivering quality instruction.
He highlighted concerning national statistics indicating that approximately 45.8 million children aged 5–14 are unable to read and comprehend simple texts, representing an overall learning deprivation rate of 76% nationwide. The training programme, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the World Bank, is designed to address both policy constraints and service delivery challenges in basic education.
Fidelia Okpo-Ene, Chairperson of SUBEB, commended TCTI for its facilities and announced a partnership to provide ongoing professional development for teachers. Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Director-General of TCTI and former World Bank consultant, stated that the workshop is intended to enhance teaching practices and strengthen foundational education.
Dr. Adekunle Adekola, Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank’s Abuja office, expressed support for the collaboration, noting that the Hope Education project is essential to improving education and fostering economic development in Nigeria.
In addition to the training programme, the Cross River State government has implemented several measures to improve education quality, including:
-
Standardising school practices across public and private institutions.
-
Introducing a uniform academic calendar and a unique pupil index number system to improve data accuracy.
-
Reducing costs for parents by removing compulsory graduation ceremonies for non-exit classes and prohibiting compulsory after-school lessons.
-
Setting end-of-day schedules at 1:00 pm for primary schools and 2:00 pm for secondary schools.
-
Establishing anti-bullying committees and anti-drug clubs in all schools to promote a safe learning environment.
-
Mandating the use of Ministry-approved textbooks to ensure consistency and reduce costs.
The government has also provided financial support to enhance education, including a N2 billion partnership fund with the Canadian government to establish a Nigerian/Canadian International School, and allocating N440 million to cover WAEC examination fees for 16,301 indigenous pupils.
These initiatives reflect the state government’s ongoing commitment to improving teacher capacity, ensuring quality education, and enhancing student learning outcomes in Cross River State.
