community service: ae-funai partners ikwo lga to train teachers on pedagogical techniques
As part of its contributions to the development of its immediate community, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi state through its Faculty of Education has partnered with the Ikwo Local Government Area, to organize a two-day workshop for selected primary and junior Secondary School teachers in the area.
The workshop which has the Theme: “Application of Pedagogical Skills in Classroom Management for Effective Teaching and Learning” was declared open by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom on Thursday, 18th April, 2024 at the auditorium of the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.




The capacity building workshop was geared towards defining the mandates of 21st century teachers for the enhancement of professionalism at all levels, and the growth and development of the country.
While declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Moses Alo, commended the organizers of the programme for their thoughtfulness in holding such a strategic workshop, given its would-be positive impact on the teachers and students.

He appreciated the effort of the Chairman, Ikwo Local Government Area, Barr. Sunday Nwankwo for collaborating with the university to enhance the skill-sets of teachers in the area, noting that the workshop will have a direct impact on the well-being of Ikwo community, urging other Local Government Areas in the State to emulate the initiative.
Prof. Elom further called for synergy between the University and the Ikwo Local Government Area to ensure that the numerous benefits of the institution are felt in the host community. He therefore urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity provided by the workshop to enhance their knowledge and build their skills on teaching methodology.

Contributing, the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Ebonyi State, Prof. Paul Nwobashi, said the objective of the workshop was to promote teaching and learning in the educational system of the State and ensure that teachers comply with the new trends of teaching, adding that community service is one of the core mandates of the university system. He stressed the importance of primary and junior secondary education in the development of citizens, adding that without primary education, “we are in trouble”.
He expressed his satisfaction on the turnout of teachers at the event, reminding them of the need for the standardization of basic education by ensuring the use of modern teaching methods to teach, stressing that it is only when the primary education is standardized that we can migrate to secondary education. He therefore urged the Faculty of Education of the University to strengthen the institution’s relationship with communities across the state for proper sensitization.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, and Organizer of the workshop, Dr. Ntasiobi Igu, commended the participants for their willingness to be part of the workshop, stating that the purpose was to help teachers update their knowledge with innovative pedagogical skills for effective classroom management. She maintained that the importance of the University/community relationship in improving the quality of education cannot be overemphasized.
She further affirmed that the slogan ‘’No teacher, no nation’’ is never arguable because teachers are the builders of the society, adding that once they are well-equipped, they would perform above the expectations and imaginations of the society.
Dr. Igu noted that the 21st century is the age of information and technology, stressing that the children of this age are digital natives and smart kids who must be approached with teaching methods that meet their leaning needs, reiterating that the Faculty of Education, AE-FUNAI is desirous of seeing that the processes of teaching and learning in schools in Ikwo LGA are effective and efficient.
She thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elom for his approval while extending her unreserved appreciation to the Chairman of Ikwo LGA, Barr. Nwankwo, for supporting and partnering with the university on the workshop.

Dr. Francisca Ogba, while delivering a lecture titled: “Teachers Personality Trait in 21st Century Classroom; Promoting Classroom Effectiveness among Smart Kids”, pointed out some assumptions about teachers’ personality traits which include; competence, confident, responsible, resourcefulness and respectful amongst others. She noted that in the 21st century, knowledge and abilities were character traits which students need to develop, adding that they were the necessary skills that every student must master to meet up with the demands of the present age in order to achieve academic excellence.
She mentioned that technology has brought solutions to many of education’s core problems such as the lack of teaching materials, student under achievement and the growing achievement gap between the rich and poor learners.
Concluding, Dr. Ogba stressed that to maintain effective classroom, a teacher should be abreast with innovative teaching strategies, communicate effectively, be disciplined, resourceful as well as be a role model. ‘’A good teacher is like a candle- it consumes itself to light the way for others’’, she said.


In the same vein, the Head, University Counselling Unit, Dr. Eunice Eze who espoused the topic: “Teachers Mentorship Roles in Nurturing Emotional Intelligence in Learners”, noted that the position of a teacher transcends mere dissemination of information; it encompasses shaping of minds, nurturing capabilities and fostering holistic improvement.

She stated that in nurturing emotional intelligence in learners, teachers should empower students to succeed not only academically but also as compassionate, resilient, and emotionally intelligent individuals. ‘’Let’s raise a generation of leaders who understand themselves and others, making the world a better place, filled with emotionally intelligent persons’’, she said.


In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Ikwo Loca Government Area, Barr. Nwankwo, commended the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Elom for making the workshop a reality, assuring him that the program will be taking place every long vacation in order to equip teachers with the right skill-sets to operate in the present digital age.
He enjoined the teachers to make good use of the opportunity provided by the program, so that the Ikwo LGA would take a lead when it comes to teaching and learning in Ebonyi state.