Universal Peace Federation (UPF), an NGO supporting the work of the United Nations in peace education, has trained teachers in the FCT to implement peace and character education in schools.
Rev. George Ogurie, Sub-Regional Director, UPF West Africa, said this at the Teachers Training Workshop on Peace and Character Education for Pilot Schools in the FCT.
Ogurie said the workshop, organised by UPF in collaboration with FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), would run from Aug. 22 to 31.
“The aim of this event is to train teachers in pilot schools within the FCT on peace and character education.
“There are 20 schools that have been selected to run a pilot programme on peace and character education.
“They will be trained in the use of UPF Peace and Character Education materials being developed and adapted for Nigerian schools.
“Our aim is to train 120 teachers per state, so if you multiply 120 by 37 that is 36 states plus the FCT, that will be 4,440.
“Then add another 120 teachers that will be trained as state coordinators around the country.
“It will be a total of 4,560 teachers that will be trained on character education in order for us to have enough people on ground to spread this message of character for leadership in the country.
“We realised that there is a gap between character and learning.
“When we graduate from school, we are told that we have been found worthy in character and in learning to be able to receive the certificates of graduation that we receive.
“However, when you see practically what’s going on in our country, and I should say in the world in general, there is a gap between character and learning.
“Learning okay, but character is a problem,’’ he said.
Ogurie said the training would be the first of such an extended workshop aimed at raising competent teachers that would be available to implement peace and character education in the pilot schools.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, commended UPF for the initiative, adding that the gesture would go a long way to help the children imbibe good character and peace culture.
Adejo, represented by Mr Fehintola Moses, Chief Education Officer, Federal Ministry of Education Support Services Department, expressed hope that the aim of the project would be achieved.
“This is a great project and I assure you of the ministry’s support,’’ he said.
A representative of Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Deputy Director Esther Omaka, congratulated the teachers for being selected to run the project.
“I know that when we teach these children from primary four to six, we are going to have a better world.
“When the children are grown and plan their own families, there will be peace in Nigeria and all over the world,’’ she said.
Omaka asked that the gesture be extended from primary level up to the secondary school level so as to catch the children young and build their conscience for good purposes.
Alhaji Leramoh Abdulrazaq, Acting Secretary for Education, thanked UPF for valuing education to contribute greatly towards molding the minds of children.
Abdulrazaq, represented by Mrs Magdalene Uzoanya, Director, Department of School Services, Education said, “This shows how dearly you value education.
“The easiest way to get to the family is through teachers. Learners value teachers more than their parents, especially at the primary school level.
“So I believe it is not by accident that you are starting with the teachers because the message is not just going to the grassroots or the area councils represented here, but we are catching them young at the formative years.’’
Tessy Nnalue, Director, Orientation and Behavioural Modifications, National Orientation Agency, thanked UPF for equipping children with the tools they need to become responsible, compassionate and ethical individuals.
A participant, Mrs Glory Imeh, from National Model School, Shepa, Abuja, said the training was top notch and necessary to tackle moral decadence in schools.
“I am going to impact the knowledge to my pupils so that they can be of good character anywhere they find themselves, so I am so happy to be here.
“It is a nice programme and the effect is going to be a very positive one because children seem to do away with their morals today.
“So by the time this programme is taught to them, it will have a very positive impact on them,’’ Imeh said.