Francis Sadhere

Niger Delta Ex-militant, High Chief Government Ekpemupol has given a boost to the teaching and learning of Science in Delta State as he flagged off the training of 50 Secondary School science teachers in the state.

From Right; Mr. Timothy Aregbesola, acting Registrar; Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Executive Secretary Tompolo Foundation; Dr. Clarkson Agagha, Director of Health Tompolo Foundation; Chief Moses Bebenimibo and Sir Wellington Uduboh during the free training for public school science teachers.

The 50 selected science teachers were drawn from Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas of the Delta State and they are being trained by the Tompolo Foundation in partnership with the College of Education, Warri.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the Science Teachers Practical Skills Enhancement Programme held at the College of Education Warri, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Comrade Paul Bebeminibo, harped on the need for students to receive science education from qualified science teachers.

“Aligning with the UNESCO view and Tompolo Foundation objective of promoting effective education for the less privileged students, the Foundation in partnership with the College of Education, Warri, has designed this ‘Science Teachers Practical Skills Enhancement Programme’” Comrade Bebenimibo said.

While saying that science contributes to the quality of life in so many areas, the Tompolo Foundation Executive Secretary noted that science and Technology have become crucial factors for sustainable development worldwide.

According to him, by the Science Teachers Practical Skills Enhancement Programme, the Tompolo foundation was keying into the third agenda of the Federal Government of development and security.

He said; “Science Teachers should be well articulated with science practical skills to ensure adequate teaching and learning of practical science at all levels of education. But we are here today to equip secondary school science teachers from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas. Practical activities are not just motivational and fun; they can also sharpen student’s powers of observation, stimulate questions, and help develop new understanding and vocabulary.”

Comrade Bebenimibo expressed the hope that participating science teachers in the two week capacity training would make better science teachers in their various schools, adding that benefiting students would be glad to be science students as science learning would be more meaningful to them.

In his address, the Provost of the College of Education, Warri, S.S. Ebisine who was represented by the Deputy Registrar (Academics) Mr. Timothy Aregbesola, expressed gratitude to the Tompolo Foundation for the training and implored participants to take the training seriously.

Dr. Chris C. Iyamah, Director of External Affairs and Training, College of Education, Warri said; “This is a very rare training. This training is very unique, it is based on practical experience and the Tompolo Foundation should be commended for this.”

One of the participating teachers, Mr. Atigan B. Hector stated; “This training is very commendable, awell organized training and I would have been well equipped by the time we are closing by September 6^th, 2013. I want to thank the Tompolo foundation for this opportunity.”