Adamawa Govt. trains 1,780 educators on social emotional learning

Adamawa Govt. trains 1,780 educators on social emotional learning

The Adamawa Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, has trained 1,780 educators on Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the programme was carried out under the auspices of Global Partnership for Education-Transforming Education System at State Level (GPE-TESS).

The three-day capacity-building training for State-Level Master Trainers of the programme ended on Saturday, in Yola.

Mr Michael Medugu, State Project Coordinator, GPE-TESS, said the training was necessitated by the impact of conflict and insurgency in some Northern states, including Adamawa.

According to him, insurgency has left many educators and learners traumatised.

“Teachers and students have suffered losses, displacement, and psychological distress, while some live in fear and deprivation.

“This training has equipped the master trainers and teachers with essential life skills, enabling them to engage the students with empathy and passion.

“It will also help them focus better on their education while achieving a good mental health,” he said.

Medugu added that the project facilitated the transition of the educational system from manual learning to digital platforms, integrating soft skills like conflict resolution, and stress management.

Also speaking, Mr Joel Jutum, an education consultant, noted that the Nigerian education system, particularly in public schools, traditionally emphasised literacy and numeracy.

He stressed the importance of incorporating soft skills into the curriculum to enhance social emotional skills and human interaction.

“Students should be taught the value of peaceful co-existence through conflict resolution, adaptation, anger, stress management, negotiation skills, and respect for constitutional authorities,” he said.

Jutum explained that the state-level master trainers were drawn from tertiary institutions, and would step down the training to school teachers and administrators across the Adamawa’s 21 local government areas.

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Dr Myfriend Kpame, the training facilitator, identified hunger, stress, starvation, trauma, and poverty as major challenges affecting many individuals in the state due to both natural and man-made disasters.

Kpame listed brain-building, listening skills, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and perseverance as the five key components of the training.

He emphasised that these skills would help educators manage their emotional well-being and effectively support their students.

Dr Hadiza Dauda, chairperson of the state’s Forum for African Women Educationists, and a trainee, lauded the state government for organising the training.

She noted that the skills acquired would help to deepen teachers’ understanding, address the emotional needs of their students, as well as  enhance their learning capacity.