A 5-day training of Master Trainers on Moral Regeneration and Representation in Basic Education organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has commenced in Bauchi with a call for stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure that students in schools are taught discipline and moral values.
While declaring the training open on Monday in Bauchi, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, explained that the Master Trainers workshop is intended to empower facilitators who will train teachers in order to actualise the objectives of the UBE Moral Reorientation programme.
He said, “I wish to let you know that our nation is greatly challenged by moral degeneration. The value system has been upturned, and vices that were not exhibited in times past are now showing their heads in our society. Terrorism, cultism, rape, and a very high spate of violence are now being witnessed.”
According to him, “As you are all aware, the rising tide of moral challenges in our society has made its way into our schools, also carrying with it anti-social behaviours such as cultism, drug abuse, gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and bullying.”
He added that “these menaces are negatively impacting learning outcomes and hindering learners from reaching their full potential. The indulgence of the young learners in those harmful behaviours portends danger to their future, society, and the country at large.”
“Concerned about the prevalence of moral ordeals, especially in basic education schools, the Commission conducted an exploratory survey to determine the level of moral decadence in basic education schools in Nigeria,” he added.
Hamid Bobboyi further said that the findings of the survey led to the development of a comprehensive Moral Regeneration and Reorientation Programme, focusing on training teachers to integrate moral education into their instruction, school activities, and psychosocial guidance to mitigate the menace to the barest level.”
Represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Technical, Prof. Bala Zakari, he stressed that, “The Moral Regeneration and Reorientation Initiative is designed to ignite a flame of moral compass within the basic education landscape and stem the descent to the dark abyss.”
He added that “The initiative is to help learners cultivate the essential character traits and decision-making acumen they need to blossom into responsible and impactful The programme also strives to empower teachers and education managers with the tools and strategies to effectively guide young minds towards a foundation of strong moral character.”
The UBEC ES stressed that Following a careful process of co-creation, testing, and refinement of the contents, the Manual and Handbook on Moral Regeneration and Reorientation are ready to be used to train selected Master Trainers from Public and Private Basic Education Schools who will subsequently cascade the training down to other teachers across the 36 States and the FCT.”
He added that the content of the training encompasses building morals and developing social and emotional competence. Besides, it will also build the skills of the teachers in managing learners in the digital world, as technology has been introduced in the classroom and learners need to be guided appropriately in its use.”
“We count on your expertise to cascade this training at the state level. The effectiveness of the training at the state level down to the school will ensure the goals and objectives of the programme are achieved,” he stressed.
Hamid Bobboyi added that, “More importantly, the training, when cascaded, will lead to the teaching and learning of value-based education in the classroom, which will empower our children to become responsible citizens and agents of positive change wherever they find themselves.”
According to him, This will also lead to the creation of a value system that not only equips learners with valuable knowledge but also shapes their character and moral fibre to succeed in life.”
In a welcome address, Mr Olumayowa Aleshin, Director, Teacher Development, UBEC, stressed that, recognising the urgent need to address the moral challenges infiltrating the country’s educational institutions, UBEC’s commitment to the cause is unwavering.
According to him, “In our society, we are currently witnessing a rise in anti-social behaviours. Social vices such as cultism, drug abuse, gender-based violence, sexual misconduct, and bullying are also prevalent in basic education schools nationwide.”
He added that “this scourge is casting shadows over the learning environment, hampering our learners from realising their full potential and jeopardising their future and the well-being of our society.”
Olumayowa Aleshin added that, “To confront this pressing issue, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) initiated the Moral Reorientation and Regeneration programme.*
According to him, “The programme aims to equip teachers with the tools and knowledge to seamlessly integrate moral education into classroom practices as well as the entirety of the school environment. By doing so, we intend to ignite a moral compass within our educational landscape to guide learners towards responsible citizenship.”
He stressed that, “this workshop is for master trainers, and it is my belief that the participants have been meticulously selected by the SUBEBs. I would therefore like to plead that we take this responsibility with the utmost commitment, especially because the effective cascading of the skills and knowledge to be dispensed rests on us.”
“As we envision the impact of this initiative, we hope to see classrooms where young learners are taught important values and principles that will guide their lives as they grow into responsible adults. Once again, I gladly welcome you to this Master Trainers workshop,” he added.
Participants in the training were drawn from 17 Northern States and FCT.