THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has organised a two-day capacity building workshop for teachers in Ebonyi on early childhood care and support activities services.

Mrs Ngozi Amanze, UNESCO National Education Programme Officer, Abuja Regional Office, who read the organisation’s regional director’s address, noted that the workshop was being organised for teachers in Ohaozara and Onicha Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.

Amanze remarked that it was UNESCO’s policy thrust to complement existing efforts by states and non-state actors, in implementing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services in participating countries.

“We intend to build the capacity of teachers and educators on childhood play and resilience as the workshop came within the framework of Victoria Charitable Trust Fund for a China-Africa Collaborative project.

“We are also collaborating with colleges of education in states to ensure that childhood play forms part of teacher-training programmes for good mastery and delivery at classroom levels.

“This encompasses lesson planning, materials and environmental preparation and paying attention to commitment and details.

“In the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 Agenda especially SDG 4 target 4, 2 and within the principle of leave no child behind, the project aims to ensure everyone enjoys the right to live, thrive and achieve potentials.”

The programme officer remarked that the project was being implemented in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, where 10 communities were directly benefiting from it.

“The project focuses on two states in Nigeria — Adamawa and Ebonyi –and is piloted in four local government areas of Numan, Guyuk (Adamawa) and Ohaozara, Onicha (Ebonyi).

“Childhood play is a legitimate behaviour and a right of children recognised and enshrined in the convention on the Right of the Child (CRC) of 1989.

“Article 31 of the convention serves to enrich the lives of children and is fundamental to the quality of childhood entitlement to optimum development (cognitive, social, physical and emotional development)
and well-being.”

“Play has a significant therapeutic and rehabilitative role in helping children recover a sense of normality and joy after experiencing loss, dislocation and trauma after conflicts and disasters.”

She added that resilience helps children bounce from setbacks and gives them the strength to persevere and forge ahead with life.

Mr Francis Ovia, Education Secretary of Ohaozara LGA, commended UNESCO for the training, noting that it would impact positively on the actions of teachers in the area.

“I urge the participants to take the training seriously to ensure that children receive learning support through the provision of materials and activities for adequate engagement.

“The training would also ensure that children receive adequate nutrition for healthy living and support in all forms of social, emotional, cognitive and physical development,” he said.

Mrs Stella Oba, a participant in the workshop pledged to use the knowledge garnered from the training to provide adequate childhood support for her pupils and other children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that goodwill messages were delivered at the occasion by representatives of the Provost, Ebonyi College of Education, Ikwo, among other educational establishments. (NAN)

– Aug. 10, 2018 @ 16:45 GMT |