Written by
Kabiru Musa and Odugbo Sarah
Kabiru Musa and Odugbo Sarah
To further strengthen the skills, knowledge and techniques on the Education Policy and Management of Nigeria, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has concluded a 10-Day intensive training titled “Capacity Building on Education Policy and Management Program (Nigeria)” for 22 Nigerian officials from Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and FCT Education Secretariat. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the fellowship training was conducted through online program between Korea and Nigeria from 21st June to 2nd July, 2021.
The training was facilitated by different experts from the Korean Future Resources Institute (FRI) led by Professor Sung Je Park, the Director General of the Institute.
Professor Sung Je Park, the Director General of Future Resources Institute (FRI) speaking to the participants during the online Fellowship Program
Other facilitators from FRI and other Institutions included Professor Si Saeng Ryu, the President Future Resource Institute; Lee Yun Bok; Prof. Chung Jae Young, Vice President, Ewha Womens University; Kim Eun Young; Prof. Lee Hyo Shin; Prof. Kim Hyeon Jin; Kim Cha-Myung; Prof. Kim Doo Yeon; Prof. Lee Jae Rim; Prof. Choi Seong Woo; Kim Kwi Sook; Kim Young Hwa; Jeong In Jae and other technical team members.
(L-R) Yun Bok Lee, Professor Si Saeng Ryu, President Future Resource Institute, Professor Sung Je Park, the Director General of the Institute and Kathy Park
The online fellowship program covered critical areas such as Economic Development and Educational Change, Policy Concerns and Development, School-based Professional Development, Policy of ICT in Education, Multimedia Education, Education Management Information System (EMIS), Future School, Development Strategies for Cyber-education, Online Education, Remote Learning Practices, Building and Utilizing the ICT Infrastructure, Action plan procedure, etc.
Cross Section of Participants during the Online Fellowship Program
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the event which was designed for various education officials from different government bodies, the Country Director, Mr. Woochan Chang said, KOICA planned the fellowship program which commenced last year, for 3 years (2020-2022).
The Country Director, Mr. Woochan Chang at the Closing Ceremony
He said the program started with 15 participants from Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), FCT Education Secretariat and Ministry of Budget and National Planning but was increased to 22 participants this year. This year’s participants were also drawn from various Government Education Ministries because of the importance and impact of the program in improving and addressing the gaps in the Education sector.
The 15 Participants trained in 2020 with the Country Director and other Government Officials
Mr. Chang explained that the participants as policy makers were key stakeholders and the training was necessary to shape the education policy in Nigeria as they were familiar with the Nigerian environment and system. He stated that the participants inputs were needed drawing from the intensive sessions, discussions and online seminars and conferences they had been engaged in during the program. He said KOICA has been supporting Nigeria with e-learning techniques and also involved in multimedia training in other states of the Federation.
Mr. Woochan Chang added that, the objectives were to fortify the professional network between Korea and Nigeria by sharing knowledge of Education programs as well as help to improve Nigeria's Education policies and assist in formulating policy alternatives while promoting mutual understanding and cooperation in the Education sector between the two countries among others. He expressed hope that, this kind of collaboration will continue in the future and congratulated the 22 participants for the Successful completion of the Fellowship program of the Government of Republic of Korea.
The 22 Participants trained in 2021 with the Country Director and other government officials
Speaking in the same vein, the Director Department of Policy Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Mohammed Sani Ladan who represented the Ag. Secretary for Education and Director of Administration and Finance said, the collaboration between FCT and KOICA had make great impact and progress over the years as evident in the construction of Nigeria-Korea Model School Piwoyi where Nigerian Children from the community are learning effectively and their various training Programs had also enhanced the capacity of staff thereby improving and adding lasting values to the system.
Dr. Ladan assured KOICA of FCT determination to fully utilize the opportunity by stepping it down to FCT schools in order to strengthen the skills and techniques of teachers to meet global standard. He expressed appreciation to KOICA for its continuous robust collaboration which the FCT Administration has been enjoying.
Dr. Mohammed Sani Ladan, Director Department of Policy Planning Research & Statistics, delivering the remark on behalf of the Ag. Secretary/DAF, FCT Education Secretariat
In a goodwill message from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Hajia Fatima Sheji who represented the Ministry, acknowledged the support and partnership of KOICA in ensuring that all their programmes in Nigeria did not stop even during COVID-19 pandemic. She urged the participants to continue to keep pace with the knowledge acquired.
Also, the Federal Ministry of Education represented by Mrs Omolara Oludoun, an Assistant Director said the capacity building of KOICA had continued to strengthen the bilateral relationship of the two countries, adding that the intensive online training will continue to complement the traditional learning in Nigeria.
In his contributions, the Director in the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Olumayowa Aleshin said Nigeria was committed to the laudable collaboration and expressed the commission’s appreciation to KOICA while urging the participants not relent in their efforts at utilizing the programmes benefits in order to avoid waste of resources and goodwill.
Also expressing her delight on the capacity building program, the Director and Principal of Nigeria-Korea Model School Piwoyi who was also one of the participants of this year's Capacity Building on Education Policy and Management Program, Ms Pamela Mbanefo said the program will go a long way in advancing the policies in the Education sector because without policy, no meaningful implementation will take place hence the participants were grateful for the lifetime opportunity given to them to improve on their professional capacity and take Education system in FCT and Nigeria as a whole to enviable height in global practices.
Mrs. Pamela Mbanefo, the Director & Principal of Nigeria-Korea Model School Piwoyi speaking on behalf of all the 22 participants during the closing ceremony
The highlight of the program was the award of Fellowship Program Certificate to the 22 participants who were drawn from FCT Education Secretariat with 11 participants, Federal Ministry of Education with 5 participants and Universal Basic Education Commission with 6 participants who all expressed their gratitude for such opportunity and promised to share their experiences in shaping the sector.
The Participants from FCT Education Secretariat with the Country Director, Mr. Woochan Chang and Director Department of Policy Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Mohammed Sani Ladan at the Closing Ceremony
The FCT Education Secretariat participants were Ms. Pamela Obianuju Mbanefo, David Ambe Mwenda Gyaube, Victor Orifah, Sanyaolu Stephen Oyelola, Paul Nyigyeyi Musa, Mato Juliana Mwuese, Titilayo Nimota Yahaya, Fatimah Adamu Auta, Sarah Ufuoma Odugbo, Ndagi Nadagana and Aminu Shehu.
The Participants from Federal Ministry of Education with the Country Director, Mr. Woochan Chang during the Opening Ceremony
Participants from Federal Ministry of Education (FME) were Elizabeth Omolara Oyelola, Maria Ada Amedu, Emmanuel Ettete Okposin, Augustin A. Agiliga Apakasa and Mas’ud Ismail Girigisu.
The participants from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) were Geraldine C. Ogunrinde, Anne O. Achu, Patience Nneka Abalu, Adewale Ayopo Soremi, Aliyu Mohammed Aliero and Nneka Okafor.
Group photograph of all the participants with the Country Director, Government Officials and the Executive members of South Korea International Cooperation Alumni of Nigeria (SKICAN)
Also present at the occasion were the Deputy Country Director, Eunjin Kwon, Mavis Eta and Afolabi Oluseun Ahmed. Others included Executives of South Korea International Cooperation Alumni of Nigeria (SKICAN), Mr. Rabiu S. K. Adamu the President and Princess Tiwalade Fapohunda (Mrs.) the Vice President.
Reported by:
Oyelola S. Stephen
Deputy Director/Head of Education Management Information System & Research
DPPR&S, FCT Education Secretariat
July, 2021
Oyelola S. Stephen
Deputy Director/Head of Education Management Information System & Research
DPPR&S, FCT Education Secretariat
July, 2021