No fewer than 150 teachers from the three Senatorial Zones of Katsina State are undergoing a train-the-trainer workshop on digital literacy skills, which is organised by the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, Katsina State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna.

The Director and Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir in his address at the opening ceremony of the workshop held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, on Wednesday, November 16, said teachers of today are expected to possess the required digital skills, so as to enable them cope with the demand of the new world of learning.

Prof. Maitafsir said the digital train moves at a very high speed and is making its impact in all areas and the impact of technology is felt in agriculture, financial services, transport, healthcare and more importantly, education sector.

He said the training is aimed at developing the capacity of teachers and school leaders on effective use and application of technologies in teaching and learning.

‘’ I believe the training will go a long way in equipping the teachers with required knowledge, skills and practical experience that will make them more effective and efficient in their teaching career,’’ he said.

While appreciating and applauding partnering with AGILE and Katsina State Ministry of Education, Prof. Maitafsir emphasised that it is the mandate of NTI to train and retrain teachers nationwide, so the partnership is in the right direction. He therefore, called on state governments, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to continue to partner with NTI in the training of their teachers in areas of need.

According to the Director and Chief Executive of NTI, the Institute offers NCE through Distance Learning System, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Bachelor Degree in Education, Advanced Diploma, as well as Pivotal Teacher Training Programme and other capacity building trainings.

Prof. Maitafsir further expressed commitment that the management of NTI will give all that the collaboration requires to make it successful. He urged participants to pay adequate attention and participate actively in the training.

The training of trainers workshop, which is scheduled between November 16 and 20, is training 150 teachers, as master trainers from the three senatorial zones of Katsina, which are Katsina, Daura and Funtua.

Speaking at the event, the AGILE project Coordinator, Mustapha Shehu said AGILE will equip 30 secondary schools with computer accessories, solar system and internet connectivity, as part of the project’s effort to empower secondary schools’ students, with emphasis on adolescent girls with digital literacy skills and additional 30 computer centres shall receive the same support in the year 2023, until considerable number of schools are reached.

The Katsina State Ministry of Education, was represented by Alh. Ahmed Abubakar, Zonal Director, Quality Assurance Office.

On their part, the participants of the training, who spoke through their representative, Abdullahi Bishir promised to participate actively and cooperate with the trainers.

Other speakers at the event, include the Ag. Director Academic Services of NTI Kaduna, Dr. Oyedeji Mobolaji, NTI North-West Zonal Coordinator, Alh. Yakubu Abbas and NTI Coordinator, Katsina State, Abbas Muhammed Dodo.

The training, which has the objectives of training teachers to effectively teach their learners, digital literacy skills and ensuring that the girls acquires the basic digital skills, ends November 20.