By Gafar Alabi

In a bid to improve literacy outcomes among learners in Public Primary Schools across Ogun State, the Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has identified phonics as a critical teaching method for enhancing literacy skills.

Ifede made this known during a 1-day phonics training programme organised by SUBEB for primary school teachers in Ikenne Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), at Ansar-Ur-Deen Primary School, Ikenne, saying the training was designed to boost learners’ reading, writing and speaking abilities across the education zone.

The SUBEB Chairman described effective phonics instruction as the foundation of early literacy development, urging teachers to apply the practical techniques acquired during the training in their classrooms, while encouraging participants to deepen their understanding of phonics and adopt learner-friendly teaching approaches that would improve literacy outcomes.

He further charged the teachers to make optimal use of the training opportunity to enhance their professional capacity and support learners in developing strong literacy skills, advising other education stakeholders to organise similar capacity-building programmes in their respective areas in support of the State government’s educational initiatives.

Earlier, the Board Secretary, SUBEB, Mr. Olubori Akinleye, commended the Chairman for sponsoring the training programme, urged participants to effectively apply the knowledge gained and cascade it to their colleagues for the overall benefit of the education sector.

Delivering her presentation, the resource person, Mrs. Bamidele Kehinde, stressed the importance of using visual aids such as charts and diagrams to make phonics lessons more engaging, while she recommended teaching phonics in stages to aid learner comprehension and shared practical strategies for correct pronunciation and interactive classroom learning.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Headteacher of African Church Bethel Primary School, Iperu, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogunfodunrin, alongside a teacher from Saints Saviour Anglican Primary School II, Ikenne, Mrs. Aina Sowale, expressed appreciation to SUBEB for organising the training. They noted that proper implementation of the phonics techniques would significantly enhance learners’ ability to read, write and communicate effectively.