828 Teachers Trained as Kaduna, PLANE Pilots English Literacy Programme
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
828 primary school teachers from 138 public primary schools across Kaduna State have been trained on modern English language teaching strategies piloted by the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) in partnership with the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE).
Funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the training focused on teachers handling Primary 1 to 3, strengthening their capacity to teach foundational speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English, while supporting a structured transition from Hausa to English.
The pilot programme was implemented in six Local Government Areas of Soba, Sabon Gari, Sanga, Jaba, Kaduna North and Kaduna South, cutting across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The experience from the pilot is expected to inform a statewide scale-up and possible extension to upper primary classes.
One of the beneficiary teachers, Umeh Josephine, described the training as practical and impactful, particularly in managing classroom transition between languages.
“PLANE has consistently supported teachers to improve our teaching methods.
“This training on code-switching teaching in Hausa while emphasising English, is very useful for us in the classroom,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Jamiu Yusuf, a classroom teacher and headteacher from Kaduna North Local Government Education Authority, said the training has strengthened both instructional delivery and school leadership.
“The training has helped us understand how to guide pupils from learning in Hausa to learning in English in a clear and structured way.
“As headteachers, we will also support our teachers to implement these methods effectively in our schools,” he said.
Teachers at the training acknowledged that the earlier introduction of Hausa at the foundational level had improved pupils’ spelling, reading and writing skills, making the transition to English more effective.
They pledged to cascade the knowledge and skills gained to colleagues and pupils in their respective schools.
The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Kaduna North Branch, Mohammed Shittu, described the training of 828 teachers as a major investment in teacher quality.
“This programme has exposed teachers to modern teaching techniques and methodologies that will improve lesson delivery and learning outcomes across our primary schools,” he said, commending PLANE, KADSUBEB and the Kaduna State Government for prioritising teacher development.
Speaking on behalf of KADSUBEB, Ahmed Sani, Director of Human Resources, explained that the English literacy training builds on earlier interventions that focused on local language instruction.
“PLANE initially supported literacy in local languages and numeracy in English. Today, we are strengthening teachers’ capacity in English literacy as part of foundational learning, with plans to extend this approach to Primary 4, 5 and 6,” he said.
Providing technical insight, Dr. Zaliha Nasiruddeen Bello, PLANE Consultant and National Master Trainer, explained that the English materials were developed as a transition programme in response to changes in Nigeria’s language policy.
“Children were first taught how to read in Hausa, and we are now supporting them to transition into English.
“The training equips teachers with the skills to manage this transition effectively using scripted lesson plans, practice sessions and peer feedback,” she said.
With 828 teachers trained across Soba, Sabon Gari, Sanga, Jaba, Kaduna North and Kaduna South LGAs, stakeholders say the pilot marks a significant milestone in Kaduna State’s efforts to strengthen foundational learning and improve English literacy outcomes in public primary schools.
