…….concludes 2025 review meeting of teachers’ skills enhancement programme
By Lucky Isibor
Stakeholders in the education sector in Edo Central Senatorial District comprising of teachers, members of Local Education Authorities, Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), pupils and learners have commended the T. Y. Danjuma Foundation and Josémaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) for using Teachers’ Skills Enhancement Programme (T-SEP), a training programme to improve teaching and learning in Esan West and Esan Central Local Government Areas, noting that it has increased school enrolment in the area.
The Stakeholders made the commendations on Friday, 10 October, at the 2025 “Review Meeting of the Teachers’ Skills Enhancement Programme (T-SEP), a training and retraining programme for teachers in Esan West and Esan Central Local Government Areas, being implemented by Josémaria Escriva Foundation, Ekpoma and financed by the T. Y. Danjuma Foundation (TYDF); held on Friday, 10 October at Ekpoma.
JOSEF, in partnership with the TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF), launched the Teachers’ Skills Enhancement Project (T-SEP) in 2023 to improve the quality of teaching and learning among 300 teachers and 10 Learning and Development Officers (LDOs) in Esan West and Esan Central LGAs.
The programme will train 60 teachers from each LGA over a period of five years and a total of 180 teachers have benefited from the project since its inception.
Welcoming participants which comprises of Teachers, Heads of School Support Services, Quality Assurance Officers and Learning and Development Officers (LDOs); the Chief Responsibility Officer of Josémaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi outlined major activities implemented in 2025, which according to him include, “Advocacy visits to key education stakeholders, including Edo State SUBEB, review of the training manual to include modules on mental health, effective communication, classroom management, ICT use, time and stress management.
“Four-day refresher training for eleven (11) Master Trainers (formerly LDOs) from both LGAs.Two termly capacity-building workshops for 60 teachers in each LGA.Over 173 step-down trainings conducted by trained teachers in their respective schools, 33 supportive monitoring visits by LDOs and JOSEF teams to ensure implementation of learned skills, Three review meetings with Heads of School Support Services, Quality Assurance Officers, and LDOs, Online review meetings with teachers from the 2023 and 2024 intervention cycles.”
While commending Governor Monday Okpebholo for his commitment to recruiting more teachers in the state, Dr. Obasanmi noted that “The 2025 review would focus on:Assessing the level of implementation of acquired skills, identifying gaps and challenges in applying new knowledge, generating policy recommendations to strengthen teaching quality, evaluating sustainability and teachers’ adaptation to technology, sharing success stories and lessons learned.
“We commend the Edo state government, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, for its commitment to recruiting more qualified teachers to address the existing gaps in schools. He noted that this effort would go a long way in improving the quality of education and moving closer to achieving the UNESCO-recommended teacher-to-learner ratio of 1:25.”
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of JOSEF, Hon. J. B. Agbogun (Esq) pointed out that Josémaria Escriva Foundation has its thematic pillars in education, health, good governance, community sensitisation and policy advocacy.
Agbogun who was represented by Elder Fabian Oigbochie disclosed that JOSEF in collaboration with TY Danjuma Foundation has over the years implemented interventions in education.
“Over the years, with TYDF’s support, we have implemented impactful educational interventions. In 2018, we addressed the girl-child dropout challenge in Imoga, Akoko-Edo LGA, through mentoring and entrepreneurship, leading to higher school retention.
“Between 2020 and 2022, we trained 120 teachers under the Teachers for Effective Service Delivery (TESD) Project, equipping them to design and use Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs)—which resulted in a 35% rise in pupils’ enrolment. During the COVID-19 lockdown, JOSEF collaborated with Edo SUBEB, KRUBECH Foundation UK, and G3.16 to reach 1,200 pupils in Esan West and Igueben LGAs with printed “Learn at Home” materials, ensuring continued learning for children without internet access.”
Also speaking, Ms. Tomi Ajayi, the State Coordinator of T.Y. Danjuma Foundation appreciated the teachers for their active participation.
Ms Ajayi who was represented by Mr. Endurance Obasuyi, reiterated TYDF’s focus on supporting education, health, and maternal care initiatives and commended Edo SUBEB for its consistent collaboration. She encouraged teachers to continue applying the knowledge gained, ensuring that pupils benefit meaningfully from the improved teaching methods.
TYDF, she assured, would sustain its partnership with JOSEF to further enhance teaching quality in Edo State.
While sharing her success story, Mrs. Ehilenboadiaye Grace, a teacher from Esan West LGA, said, “I am truly impressed and grateful for this project. I hope it continues and is extended to all teachers in Esan West LGA. Since we began applying what we learned, classroom management and pupils’ performance have improved significantly.
Pupils are happier and enrollment has increased since the 2023/2024 academic session. Many thanks to SUBEB, JOSEF, and TYDF for this wonderful intervention.”
Also sharing his experience, a pupil whose teacher participated in the 2025 training, Master Agbons Igie, said: “We now love coming to school because our teacher listens to us and encourages us to ask questions. Some classmates who didn’t enjoy school before now attend regularly. Our teacher checks our handwriting and makes learning fun. I enjoy school now more than ever.”
During the panel discussion, teachers praised the quality of the training and the positive changes it has brought to their teaching practices and learner engagement. However, they also highlighted some challenges, including, high transportation costs to attend training sessions, rising insecurity in some communities which they lamented were affecting school attendance and participation.
High point of the review meeting was the presentation of certificates to all participating teachers amidst atmosphere filled with appreciation as participants expressed gratitude to Edo SUBEB, TYDF, and JOSEF for providing such a life-changing opportunity.
The T-SEP project is expected to continue until 2027, by which time at least 300 public primary school teachers across Esan West and Esan Central Local Government Areas would have benefited, contributing significantly to improved teaching and learning outcomes in Edo State.