By The four-day training was sponsored by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and organised by Plan International Nigeria, Borno State Field Office, in partnership with Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD), Maiduguri.
The programme was conducted simultaneously in Damboa, Kala Balge and Mobbar LGAs, targeting Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) holders and graduate teachers, particularly those serving in hard-to-reach and insecurity-impacted areas where access to professional development opportunities remains limited.
The initiative aligns with the drive of the Registrar and Chief Executive of TRCN, Dr Aderonke Soyombo, to ensure that more teachers nationwide obtain professional certification as required by law. In Borno, a state heavily affected by insurgency, displacement and infrastructural challenges, meeting this requirement has posed significant difficulties for many educators.
To bridge this gap, the EU-funded intervention equipped participants with the knowledge, digital competence and confidence needed to succeed in the TRCN certification examination.
Of the 429 participants trained, 104 teachers attended sessions at Central Primary School and the NITDA Computer Training Centre in Damboa. In Kala Balge, 92 teachers were trained at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Rann, while 33 teachers participated at the Computer Training Centre in Damasak, Mobbar LGA.
Facilitators—including university lecturers, TRCN officials and Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) secretaries—delivered a blend of theoretical instruction and practical sessions. Participants received orientation on the TRCN Act and professional standards and refreshed their knowledge in education theory, pedagogy, curriculum planning, classroom management, assessment methods and professional ethics.
A major highlight of the workshop was its emphasis on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy and Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Many participants experienced digital assessment for the first time, engaging in hands-on CBT simulations, mock examinations and timed practice sessions using computers and mobile devices.
Beyond academic preparation, the training also delivered psychosocial benefits. Exposure to simulated CBT environments helped reduce exam anxiety among participants who had previously expressed concerns about digital examinations.
Participants described the workshop as a timely refresher on core professional knowledge last studied during their NCE or degree programmes, expressing renewed motivation and commitment to their teaching careers.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative but called for sustained interventions to consolidate the gains achieved. Recommendations include periodic refresher courses, improved digital infrastructure in rural LGAs, structured post-training mentoring and coaching, and expansion of similar TRCN preparatory programmes to other underserved communities in the state.
As Borno State continues its recovery from years of conflict, stakeholders emphasised that professionally certified and well-trained teachers remain central to restoring quality education and improving learning outcomes across affected communities.
