John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Director General and Chief Executive of the National Teachers (NTI), Kaduna, Prof. Garba Dahuwa Azare, has advocated for the introduction of environmental education in schools saying that a proper knowledge of the environment by the citizenry, will go a long way in addressing some of the environmental problems being faced.
Speaking at a five-day capacity building workshop on ‘Green Teacher Programme (GTP), jointly organised by the NTI and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Azare who was represented by the Director, Field Operations and Students Services, Dr. Dele Yahaya said the abuse , misuse and problems in the environment can only be addressed when there is an enlightened and environment-friendly citizenry.
He said Environmental Studies should be introduced into the institute’s NCE, BA/BSc Ed and PGDE programmes, adding that teachers will play crucial roles in addressing the challenging environmental problems the country is facing.
According to him, “giving the appropriate training, teachers are the key agents in any educational innovation are in a better position to ensure a holistic understanding of the environment .
The institute’s Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mohammad Abdullahi said participants at the workshop were drawn from the Federal Ministries of Education and Environmental workers, adding that it was aimed at raising awareness on the need for proper education on the environment.
“ Students must acquire knowledge and information about basic plant and animal ecology, as well as the current national , regional and global environmental issues and problems, and how human activity is impacting on the environment,†he said
He said the workshop was part of the on-going efforts by the NTI Director-General to revive the process of implementing the GTP which was hitherto been abandoned.
