The Cross River State Government has commended the Federal Government for what it described as sustained efforts toward revitalising Nigeria’s public primary school system.

The commendation was delivered by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, during the induction of 56 volunteer teachers trained by Save the Children International through support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) into the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Odey, represented at the event by the Education Secretary for Ogoja Local Government Area, Ernest Otong, noted that the Federal Government’s steady support to public schools in Cross River had begun to ease manpower shortages that had undermined learning outcomes for years.

“Our schools have battled inadequate manpower for years. With this intervention, supported by the state government’s ongoing recruitment drive, learning can now take place more effectively,” he said.

FG Calls for Stronger Partnerships in Basic Education

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said deeper partnerships remain essential in tackling persistent gaps in basic education, particularly in hard-to-serve communities where teacher shortages have crippled learning.

Alausa represented by senior ministry official Godwin Odey praised Save the Children International for stepping in where the needs are greatest.

“This programme is helping us to rebuild public confidence in basic education. Save the Children has stepped in where the needs are greatest and the impact is already visible,” he said.

Save the Children Calls for Quick Deployment of New Teachers

Save the Children International’s Education Coordinator, Oyeniyi Omopariola, described the certification of the volunteer teachers as a strategic investment in human capital and a critical step toward improving teaching quality in disadvantaged areas.

He urged State Governments and Universal Basic Education Boards to speed up the recruitment and deployment of the newly trained teachers to ensure the sustainability of gains recorded under the GPE project.

TRCN Hails Model for Expanding Access to Quality Education

Administering the oath of office, the Director of Certification and Licensing at TRCN, Abimbola Okunola, said the partnership among TRCN, Save the Children International, and the Global Partnership for Education represents a sustainable model for expanding access to quality basic education, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

She emphasised that strengthening teacher professionalism remains crucial to improving learning outcomes across Nigeria.

The induction marks a significant milestone in Cross River’s efforts to strengthen its public primary school system, particularly in underserved areas grappling with chronic teacher shortages.