As part of the sweeping education reforms introduced by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, the Enugu State Government has announced ongoing intensification of training for more than 18,000 public school teachers with phase one already concluded. The training is a preparatory move ahead of the resumption of Smart Green Schools across the state, set to begin in September 2025.

  This was even as the state government stated that it would be partnering with local councils on intensive training of teachers on the phase two programme, which would soon commence. 

  The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, disclosed this at a seminar held over the weekend in Enugu. He stated that the teachers, comprising newly recruited and existing educators, underwent a rigorous training programme focused on digital literacy and 21st-century instructional methods. 

MEANWHILE, a non-governmental organisation, One Youth Global, at the weekend, said that the deteriorating state of federal and state owned primary and secondary schools in the country is worrisome, urging the President, governors and relevant stakeholders in the country to intensify advocacy on educational development across the country.

  In a chat with newsmen shortly after the grand finale of the ‘Spark Nation’ debate and quiz competition in Abakaliki, the President of the organisation, Mr Uchechukwu Agbo, insisted that situations of public schools are not encouraging, adding that if urgent steps are not taken to reposition the school system the future of the country may be doomed.

  He mentioned some of the problems facing public schools, like shortage of manpower, dilapidated structure, lack of modern learning equipment and others, noting that the group’s initiative is to support and provide a platform for students to showcase their academic abilities and build confidence.

  The group called on the President, state governors and relevant stakeholders in Nigeria to take bold steps in development in the sector and also show commitment to tackling over 20 million children who are out of school, saying that we must save the country’s battered school system.