Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (Ogun SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has organised a three-day training on Jolly Phonics to improve teachers’ capacity and competence in teaching phonics and reading. The programme, themed “Improving Teachers’ Capacity and Competence in Teaching Phonics and Reading,” is taking place at Methodist Primary School, Oke Yeke, Abeokuta, and simultaneously across the four divisions of the State.
Addressing participants, the Executive Chairman, Evang. Ifede Olalekan Joshua, said the training was designed to equip teachers with practical skills for using letter sounds to help pupils decode and pronounce words, making reading easier for learners at early stages. “This workshop is a timely intervention to strengthen foundational literacy in the State’s basic schools,” he stated.
Evang. Ifede explained that the Jolly Phonics approach focuses on phonemic awareness, teaching children the sounds that letters make. He noted that the method has been tested and found effective in easing reading difficulties among young learners. According to him, “Early mastery of sounds accelerates learners’ confidence and fluency in reading.”
The chairman urged participants to treat the workshop as a valuable opportunity, concentrate fully, and apply the techniques learned to improve pupils’ reading, communication, and handwriting skills. He also encouraged teachers to master pronunciation, cascade the training to colleagues in their schools, maintain professional dress, and take proper care of their health.
Participants at the training expressed appreciation and shared suggestions for sustaining the programme. Mrs. Thanni Abeni Musiliat of Muslim Primary School, Idofen Mokola, Abeokuta, appealed for Jolly Phonics to be allocated regular time in school timetables so that the gains from the training could be effectively transferred to learners. Similarly, Mrs. Jimoh Taiwo of Our Lady of Apostles Primary, Ibara, Abeokuta, commended Ogun SUBEB and UBEC for organising the programme and pledged to share the knowledge gained with other teachers in her local government.
The training highlights Ogun State’s commitment to improving literacy levels by empowering teachers with modern teaching techniques that boost pupils’ reading and learning outcomes.