Binta Sanni
Prof. Hamdalat Yusuf, of the Department of Social Sciences Education, University of Ilorin, UNILORIN, has recommended a ratio of one teacher to 35 students across Nigerian schools.
Yusuf made the call in Ilorin while presenting the 271st Inaugural Lecture of the University entitled: ” Navigating the Nexus of Teacher Education, Curriculum Development and Social Studies”.
The expert in education examined how school factors of class size, teachers workload and qualifications impacted performance of students in examinations.
“These schools and teachers’ variables were related to classroom teaching and the extent each of these variables impacted learners.The results indicated these variables such as calss size, teacher workload and qualifications influenced the performance of students in their examinations,” she said.
Yusuf advised the Federal Government to integrate ICT training as part of pre-service teacher education programme in Nigeria, adding that, such initiative will prepare the future teachers to effectively use technology in their classrooms.
She observed the need for teacher-education curricular to incorporate ICT tools and resources, so that teachers can make them an integral part of the teaching and learning process.
“There is need to provide schools with adequate ICT resources, including Internet facilities and digital resources so that teachers can integrate them in their instructions”, she submitted.
The don enjoined lecturers to assume role of counsellor caring for the psychological and emotional needs of students enrolled in their courses.
Yusuf who teaches in the Faculty of Education of the University explained that such practical role has been shown to help students improve poor grades in their courses.
She also underscores the importance of Artificial Intelligence in education, particularly in the development of teacher education and enhancing community development in sub-Saharan Africa.
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