By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The National Council for Civic Education and Development (NACCED) in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Teaching Service Commission and Sierra Leone free education project Secretariat has conducted a two day National Civic Education Training of Trainers programme.
The training is composed of teachers from different regions and schools at the St Anthony Conference Hall in Freetown on the Reintroduction of Civic Education in Schools in September 2022.
This disclosure was made by the Chairman of NaCEED Mr Kalilu Ibrahim Totangi who said that the re-introduction of Civic Education has been the Paramount agenda of His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio for NaCEED to set up a curriculum for the commencement of Civic Education.
On this note he said, Civic Education is taught all around the world because of its impact and behavioral principles on its citizens as he said that this is the vision of His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio that Civic Education helped shaped his life, as such he therefore considers it mandatory for its Reintroduction in schools.
He defined the terms Civic Education as the provision of Civic Knowledge and understanding about their rights and responsibilities to help them develop Civic Skills to contribute towards National Development of the Country.
He went on to state that Civic Education is important to Children as he described them as Future Leaders as they will be taught about their country, being tolerant and patriotic to one another and to learn and build from the past history of the country for the development of the country.
He also said the training is of beneficial Knowledge to teachers to help children know who they are and their contribution to society and that Civic Education will be taught with a difference.
He noted that Technology will be introduced as part of the learning process distinguishing it from the Ancient days of Civic Education.
The Regional Coordinator for National Council for Civic Education Madam Hilary John in an exclusive Interview with A-Z said the purpose of the training for teachers is for the Civic Education and the use of its books which entails the curriculum for Civic Education in schools and that these teachers will in turn train other teachers on Civic Education.
She went on that the training is a follow up program as she said trainings were conducted earlier at the time the production of these books were ongoing.
She said Civic Education starts from the home of which it’s the responsibility of parents to train their children on important values as they progress through life stages as Civic focuses on the behavioral patterns of a child.
Mr Julius Fisher a facilitator and Writer of the Civic Education Program said the country needs Civic Education looking at the behavioral patterns of youths and young adults and the level of violence that engulfs these innocent youths due to lack of disciplinary values instilled on them.
Mr Fisher said Professor Joe AD Alie was also part of the team as a leading figure in Civic Education books and has further outlined topics that are of concerned to society.
He encouraged Parents to be receptive of their child towards their learning journey and to embrace Civic Education with open arms for the construction of young minds for future Development towards the country.
A number of 32 teachers from different regions and schools were trained by facilitators on Civic Education.