Education
EAC, Polish firm introduce new teaching methodology to primary schools in Oyo
Solving the myriad of difficulties in the teaching-learning process confronting teachers and the students, as well as preparing them for the 21st century standard, an Ibadan based educational centre – Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), in partnership with a Polish firm, WhyBlueSky, on Tuesday, introduced new teaching methodology, named ‘Activity-Based Learning’ to some primary schools in Oyo state.
WhyBlueSky, which has been cooperating with low-income primary schools in Southern Nigeria, is assisting teachers to deliver instructions better by igniting the curiosity of the learners through the newly introduced ‘Activity-Based Learning’ strategy.
It also trained teachers on the four Cs of learning, which included critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity, which develop students’ competencies and skills that they needed for a successful life and satisfying employment.
Speaking at a one-day training workshop organised for some primary school teachers in the state on activity-based methodology for learning, the Founder, WhyBlueSky, Agata Wilam, noted that the work place has changed, thus teachers must not only change, but a desirable model for the children they teach.
She explained that the aim was to train the teachers according to curriculum on the innovative teaching method which was built on the rhythmic successes recorded by the Children’s University – an after school programme exploring children’s curiosity.
The Polish educationist added that the new learning method targeted at stimulating the interest of the children, mostly focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while some language courses are also included.
Wilam, who said she was in Nigeria to introduce new innovative teaching method to teachers and children said, “Poland has a very good education system and probably one of the best in PISA rankings, so I shouldn’t complain. Still , I find some missing paths in education. The Activity-Based Learning enable the teachers to fully experienced what learning by doing is.
“Everywhere, children are asking questions, this is not only in my country, everywhere they are curious, they are smart, they want to know, they want answers. So, why don’t we create the opportunity for them, engage them in activities about those topics that are interesting to them and they discover the answers together.
“We are cooperating with schools in Southern Nigeria to train teachers. Our workshops are interactive. The main ways for children to learn is by doing.
“When they do (children) things that are real and practical, they find the connection between real world and education. Children learn by research and they learn by doing things,” she stressed.
Speaking further, she maintained that the ‘Activity-Based Learning’ methodology makes learning enjoyable and easy to understand, saying “When you do things that are enjoyable, it is much easier to understand and be motivated to do it better than reading about it.
Wilam continued, “They don’t need to memorise everything. What they need is to convert the learning to problem-solving skills. It is skills that are needed in the 21st century. You just have to know how to do things based on what you know and available resources.
“Sit, listen, read, and memorise, that was how education was being structured in the past. But the 21st century skills needed are critical thinking , communication, collaboration (do things together), creativity which is beyond art but problem solving . We are focusing on those things, activity-based learning will help the children to develop those skills,” she added.
Also commenting, the EAC Coordinator, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, averred that practical is the real learning activity, suggesting that for Nigeria to compete among the comity of nations, the education curriculum should be changed.
He added that its content should be tailored towards problem solving.
“We should change our curriculum; It is no longer an issue of knowledge content but ability to do things. Students are being taught to learn as new problems are showing up. We put too much emphasis on certificates; we don’t look at what people can do and that’s our undoing. So, we should shift the focus from that,” he insisted.
According to Bamgbose, education is not supposed to be a problem for children, but something they will look forward to.
He said, “Children at a tender age work on things and they were able to deduce. These are the things that give people life skills. If we can get our children to look forward to learning, then we can change the whole paradigm and scope of education.”
Expressing his satisfaction with the partnership, the EAC coordinator noted, “We cannot singularly solve the problem of Nigeria or the problem of the world. If you find a good thing, I believe we have a responsibility to showcase it so that many more people will tap into it and go and make a difference.
“If it is so much of what we can do, we’ll be limited.That’s why we called them to come and learn new things that will transform their schools and impact the lives of the children. If we don’t do it, we’ll be doing the incoming generation a disservice.
“When the children can be creative, there will be progress”, Bamgbose assured .
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Akintola Mabel, told journalists that the training has exposed her to the practical approach, especially on how to ignite the curiosity of her students in learning.
Mabel, who noted that most children are kinaesthetic, also added that with constant engagement and encouragement, the newly introduced teaching methodology would be adopted in Nigeria.
She, however promised to replicate the teaching method in her school, especially for the pre-primary and primary school pupils, as “it is easy to remember what you see.”
No fewer than 2,243,816 candidates on Thursday commenced the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board across accredited Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.
The figure represents a 10.5 per cent increase from the 2.03 million candidates recorded in 2025.
The examination, which began on April 16, is being conducted in about 1,000 CBT centres nationwide, with candidates scheduled in four daily sessions to reduce congestion and improve verification processes.
The board said it had deployed biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems to safeguard the integrity of the exercise, noting that candidates whose biometric details could not be authenticated would be rescheduled.
Candidates were advised to print their examination slips from the JAMB portal to confirm their schedules and arrive at least one hour before their examination time.
Under the revised timetable, first-session candidates are expected at 7:00 a.m., followed by 9:00 a.m. for the second session, 11:00 a.m. for the third session, and 2:00 p.m. for the final session.
JAMB disclosed that Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with 381,814, followed by Ogun with 137,156 and Oyo with 122,662. Kaduna recorded 103,498 candidates, while the Federal Capital Territory had 102,961.
Other states include Rivers with 105,584 candidates and Kano with 83,167, while Borno and Zamfara recorded the lowest figures with 13,483 and 14,861 candidates respectively.
Outside Nigeria, participation remained low, with Côte d’Ivoire recording 32 candidates, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 16, Burkina Faso with 14, and the United Kingdom with 12 candidates.
As part of efforts to enhance efficiency, the board increased the number of CBT centres but delisted 23 centres across several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Edo, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, over technical deficiencies observed during the mock examination.
The board said the action was necessary to maintain operational standards and ensure the credibility of the examination process.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed reports of insecurity at some centres, describing such claims as unfounded.
The police said it had deployed additional personnel, including patrol teams, perimeter surveillance units and rapid response squads, to ensure the safety of candidates nationwide.
The force added that it was collaborating with other security agencies to monitor the exercise and respond swiftly to any threats.
It assured parents and candidates of adequate security, urging candidates to comply with examination guidelines, arrive early and report suspicious activities.
The police also advised the public to disregard unverified information on social media and rely on official communication channels.
JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency, warning candidates against accepting admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System.
It stressed that any admission conducted outside CAPS would be considered illegal and would not be recognised.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide following technical deficiencies recorded during the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Board disclosed this in a bulletin issued on Friday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, as preparations intensify for the 2026 UTME scheduled to hold across the country from April 16 to April 25.
According to JAMB, the mock examination was designed to assess operational readiness and identify centres that failed to meet the required technical standards.
“Following the conduct of the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Board has delisted 23 Computer-Based Test centres for technical deficiencies,” the statement read.
The Board added that several centres with minor issues had been placed on notice, warning that continued non-compliance could lead to further sanctions. It also stated that one centre would no longer be used for any of its examinations.
JAMB disclosed that a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME, with Lagos recording 321,814 candidates, Kaduna 303,498, the Federal Capital Territory 302,963, and Ogun 137,156.
To improve accessibility and logistics, the Board said it increased the number of approved examination centres to 1,000 nationwide, up from fewer than 800 in 2025.
However, an internal review conducted after the mock exercise revealed that some centres failed to meet operational and technical benchmarks, prompting their removal from the approved list.
The delisting followed reports of widespread technical glitches during the mock examination, including network failures, system malfunctions and delayed commencement of tests in several locations. Some candidates and parents also complained about hours-long waiting periods at affected centres.
The affected centres are located in Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Plateau states.
Among the delisted centres are Micben Seat of Wisdom Academy, Ukwa West, Abia; Bishop Crowther Seminary CBT Centre, Awka, and The Oracle Lens, Nnokwa, Anambra; Derby’s Young ICT Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa; Avid ICT Solutions CBT Centre, Asaba, Delta; and Daniet Global Resources CBT Centre, Benin City, Edo.
Others include De-Lite CBT Centre, Maitama, Abuja; Florin High School CBT Centre, Ejigbo; Folbob CBT Centre, Lakowe; Great Kezino College CBT Centre, Ikorodu; Obans CBT Centre, Ikorodu; and Teesas Learning and CBT Centre, Lekki, all in Lagos.
Also affected are Braingate Model Schools CBT Centre, Arepo, and Greenhills Academy CBT Centre, Itele, Ogun State; Oduduwa University CBT Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State; Lasting Glory Schools CBT Centre, Ibadan; Nesam International School CBT Centre, Ibadan; SAF Polytechnic CBT Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State; and Rabjib Computer Academy, Jos, Plateau State.
JAMB stated that the decision formed part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of its examination process and ensure that only centres that meet its operational requirements are used for the main UTME.
The Board assured candidates that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination nationwide.
The Federal Polytechnic Ayede on Thursday matriculated no fewer than 705 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, with the management warning the newly admitted candidates against cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices capable of truncating their academic pursuits.
The Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Azeez Olasunkanmi Ojo, disclosed this during the Polytechnic’s fourth matriculation ceremony held at its temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Oyo State.
Ojo described the ceremony as a historic milestone for both the institution and the new students, noting that the matriculation marked their formal admission into an academic community built on knowledge, innovation and character.
“It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to this fourth matriculation ceremony. This event signifies your formal admission into a community committed to knowledge, innovation, character and excellence,” he said.
The acting rector urged the students to remain focused and take advantage of the opportunities available to them, stressing that discipline and dedication were critical to their success.
He added, “You must take your academic work seriously and uphold the values of learning, dexterity and sound moral conduct. Avoid cultism, examination malpractice and drug abuse, as these vices can jeopardise your future and cut short your dreams.”
Representing the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, the South-West Zonal Director, Elder Ayo Aroge, commended the management of the Polytechnic for its steady growth.
He charged the newly admitted students to embrace the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiative to acquire practical skills and become job creators.
“Technical and vocational education remains a viable pathway to self-reliance. I urge you to exploit this opportunity and equip yourselves with relevant skills that will make you employers of labour,” Aroge said.
Ojo also paid tribute to the pioneer Rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, for laying what he described as a solid foundation for the institution’s growth and development.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government had approved a 20-kilometre road project to improve access to the Polytechnic’s permanent site in Ayede, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area.
According to him, the road will run from Idi Araba Junction to the institution’s permanent site and extend to the Oolo community in Oriire Local Government Area, including internal access roads within the campus. The don lauded the federal government for what he described as timely intervention.
“Addressing access challenges will significantly enhance our relocation efforts and accelerate infrastructural and academic development,” he said.
The acting rector appealed to stakeholders, corporate organisations, alumni and philanthropists to partner with the institution to achieve sustainable growth.
He also appreciated parents and guardians for entrusting their wards to the Polytechnic, assuring them that the students would be groomed into responsible and productive members of society.
“Dear matriculating students, this is your beginning. Stay focused, work diligently and strive for excellence. The future is yours to shape,” he added.
Dignitaries at the event included the Aresa-Pupa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola; the Registrar, Mrs. Bukola Elizabeth Dairo; the Bursar, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abiola Afolabi, represented by Deputy Bursar, Mr. Lukman Buari; and Acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mr. Dare Samuel Adeleke, among other principal officers, staff and students.
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