The management of Regent Schools, Abuja, has sponsored 22 of its teachers for the University of Nottingham’s Post Graduate Certificate in Education (International) PGCEi, as part of effort to boost their capacity at primary and secondary levels.
After a successful completion of the programme, the teachers graduated in a colourful ceremony, in Abuja, attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Sadanobu Ku Saoke, the Course Facilitator, Mr. Akif Naqvi, the Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Amsa AbdulRazaq, Regional Coordinator of the Nottingham University, Dr. Jenny Elliot, among others.
In her address, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said the Post Graduate certificate from the university, will enhance the capacity of the teachers to teach the students and deliver classroom teaching and instructions in a way that will make them complete and all rounded.
She expressed delight about the diversity of the students and staff of the school which, she said, are from over 20 countries of the world adding that Regent schools offer a very conducive environment for them to learn multi-culturally.
“I want to praise the collaboration between Regent Schools and the University of Nottingham. This is a trailblazing effort in the educational landscape of our country. I am told that the Regent represent no less than 20 nations. As such, i am confident that the net will indeed be cast far and wide, and the rewards will be immeasurableâ€, she said’.
The Regional Coordinator of the university, Dr. Jenny Elliot spoke on the international significance of the PGCEi for the teachers, noting that the 22 teachers have been empowered by their employers at Regent schools to be among the best professional teachers in the world.
She however appealed to them to make the best use of the Post Graduate certificate.
The Proprietress of the School, Mrs. Amsa AbdulRazaq who described the graduates as ‘great teachers’, expressed her satisfaction with the quality of training they got during their studies.
“I am proud to say that our teaching staff have had the opportunity to attend not only local but international conferences and training, which means travelling overseas to countries like South Africa, Kenya and United Kingdom. We have set them on immersions- this is where they spend time in various schools in the UK to get a first-hand experience of what it feels like to be in actual UK independent school. We have now enabled and enhanced our teachers even more by facilitating their participation in this international post graduate certificate in education from the University of Nottingham.”
The Course Facilitator, Mr. Akif Naqvi shared his experience of teaching across many countries of the world saying that he had always been impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the staff of the school.
Responding on behalf of the graduates, Ms. Funmilola Adesanya commended the management and the Board of the school for investing in capacity development at a time in Nigeria where many organisations across all sectors of the economy are laying-off staff and cutting on training.
Principal of the Regent Secondary School, Dr. George Hickman said he was proud of the success of the teachers and other staff of the school in all the programmes and trainings they have participated in.
