In order to boost proficiency in English language, no fewer than 110 public primary school teachers across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State have been trained.

Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, the Chairman, State Basic Education Board who disclosed this, while declaring the workshop opened at Imo Methodist Primary School, Oke-Yeke, Abeokuta, said the four-day training workshop was jointly organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and British Council, in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), stating that it was expedient for teachers to promote literacy among their learners.

Dr. Majekodunmi, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Mikhail Lawal, emphasised that every child must be able to read, write and calculate effectively, urging participants to improve on their skills as English language teachers, so as to be a proficient English teacher during and after the classes.

He said, "there are many things to do as a teacher, a teacher should be able to teach the learners how to read. We must be honest, how many of your students can read on their own? If you know you have 40 students in your class but they find it difficult to read, it means something has gone wrong".

Earlier, the British Council Project Manager, English and School Programmes, Nigeria, Dr. Bliss Ameh, said the training was organised to improve the teaching skills of teachers, in order to positively impart knowledge on the learners, enjoining the participants to allow the programme serve its purpose by teaching the students on what they have learnt so that they can easily comprehend the subject.

Speaking on the theme of the workshop, "Strengthening Teachers' English Proficiency (STEP) For Public Primary Schools Teachers In Ogun State", the resource person, Dr. Patricia Ezenandu from Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta, noted that the workshop would enlighten the teachers on Self-Study skills, especially on language or basic science, as well as strengthen them in linguistics proficiency, as the English language is the medium of instruction in schools.

Contributing, another facilitator from FCE, Dr. Bosede Akinwunmi, who pointed out that language skill was key to teaching learners basic subjects like Arithmetic and Basic Science, among others, added that Self-Study encourages students to learn more effectively, to inspire their curiosity and motivate them to  further discover themselves, boost self-esteem, to strengthen them on problem-solving skills among others, advising participants to put into practice what they learnt at the training to improve learners’ better understanding of the language.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Elizabeth Oke from Ewekoro Local Government, appreciated the organisers for the workshop, promising to improve on self-learning skills.