Delta SUBEB, British Council Train 250 Teachers on English Proficiency, Digital Learning in Asaba
January 6, 2026
In a sustained effort to strengthen teaching quality and improve learning outcomes in public schools, the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the British Council, commenced an intensive five-day capacity-building workshop on Monday, 5 January, at the State Secretariat, Asaba, for about 250 effective teachers selected from the 25 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) across the state.
The British Council Stepdown 2026 training, tagged “Strengthening Teachers’ English Proficiency (STEP)”, is aimed at enhancing teachers’ competence in English language delivery and the effective use of digital tools for teaching and learning.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman, Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon. Samuel Mariere, said the programme is designed to empower teachers in public schools to seamlessly transition between face-to-face, blended and online learning as teaching conditions evolve.
According to him, “This training is aimed at empowering our teachers to effectively move between face-to-face, blended and online learning as the teaching situation on ground shifts. Improving the quality of teaching remains key to achieving better learning outcomes in our public schools.”
Hon. Mariere reiterated that teacher development is a core component of the meaningful reforms enshrined in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda, noting that such reforms directly impact the lives of teachers and, consequently, the lives of children in public schools.
He urged teachers to take personal responsibility for their professional growth by engaging in online programmes and other self-improvement opportunities, while advising the selected participants to take the training seriously, describing their selection as a privilege and a call to service.
In an earlier remark, the Project Manager, British Council, Dr. Bliss Ameh, said the British Council remains committed to promoting quality English language teaching and learning through the strategic use of ICT and digital technology.
“ the STEP programme adopts a three-pronged approach to improving the quality of English language teaching and learning by strengthening pedagogy, encouraging the principled use of technology and deploying technology to deliver online training where such needs arise,” he said.
Dr. Ameh added that the initiative was introduced to bridge gaps in ICT and online education exposed during the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as to design and implement teaching and learning strategies that strengthen both online and face-to-face classroom engagement.
Addressing participants, the Director, Teacher Development, SUBEB, Mrs. Eru Ezefili, explained that the STEP programme aims to introduce, provide and promote self-study, coaching and mentoring for teachers, improve the quality of teacher training, enhance registration processes and support continuous professional development.
Mrs. Ezefili disclosed that the training covers both teaching and non-teaching staff, noting that non-teaching participants are support officers who also require adequate knowledge to effectively support teachers in the discharge of their duties. She added that about fifteen facilitators were on ground to guide and train participants throughout the STEP training.
She further stated that all participating teachers are expected to register online with the British Council to enable continued access to learning resources and professional support even after the completion of the training.
The State Coordinator, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs. Sharon Dafiluelo, commended the Delta State Government for its sustained commitment to teacher training and retraining, while appealing to the British Council to continue its engagement with teachers in Delta State.
Other dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included the Lead Facilitator, Dr. Maureen Ororho, and the Project Officer, Miss Isioma Okolo.
The five-day intensive workshop will expose participants to practical sessions on email management, online registration and webinars, self-study courses, lesson plan development, self-assessment and further professional practice, among others.