The Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has commenced a two-day training workshop on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for teachers across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The capacity-building programme, organized by the Department of Data, Digital Platform and Analytics of SUBEB, is aimed at equipping teachers with modern digital skills and enhancing their ability to integrate technology into classroom instruction.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Calabar, the Executive Chairman of Cross River State SUBEB, Rt. Hon. High Magistrate Mrs. Fedelia Okpo Ene, described the workshop as a strategic investment in the future of education and a critical step toward preparing learners for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital world.
According to her, the initiative is designed to expose pupils and students to ICT from an early age by first empowering teachers with the knowledge, competencies and confidence needed to deliver technology-driven education.
Mrs. Ene disclosed that the Board has continued to provide schools with desktop computers and other ICT facilities to support effective teaching and learning, noting that the training complements ongoing efforts by the administration of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to reposition the education sector through innovation and digital transformation.
She commended Governor Otu and the Universal Basic Education Commission for their unwavering commitment to educational development, revealing that Cross River was among the first states selected to benefit from the initiative.
The SUBEB Chairman urged participants to take full advantage of the workshop and ensure that the knowledge acquired is transferred to learners, particularly those in rural communities where access to digital resources remains limited.
Also speaking, Head of the ICT Department of SUBEB, Mr. Joseph Agama Aka, said the training was organized to bridge the digital knowledge gap among teachers and learners in the basic education sector.
He observed that while Artificial Intelligence is increasingly shaping educational systems globally, many teachers are yet to fully understand its practical applications in teaching and learning.
“Technology is reshaping education worldwide, and teachers must not be left behind. Through ICT and AI tools, educators can prepare lesson notes, instructional materials, assessments and reports more efficiently, thereby improving productivity and classroom delivery,” he said.
Mr. Aka emphasized that the workshop would enable participants to acquire hands-on knowledge of emerging technologies and deploy them effectively to improve learning outcomes in schools across the state.
Participants described the training as timely and impactful, expressing optimism that the skills acquired would enhance teaching effectiveness and improve students’ preparedness for a technology-driven future.
One of the participants, Mr. Daniel Ene of UBEC Model Vocational Secondary School, Akpabuyo, said the workshop exposed him to practical ICT and AI applications that would significantly improve his classroom performance.
He noted that the training would help him better prepare his students for the realities of the modern digital economy and equip them with relevant technological skills.
Similarly, Mrs. Maria Edem Eyo of St. Mark’s Primary School, Akwa Ikot Eyo, lauded the initiative, noting that many pupils still struggle with basic computer operations.
She described the workshop as a long-awaited opportunity for teachers to acquire practical digital skills and commended the facilitators for delivering insightful and engaging sessions.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by UBEC and Cross River SUBEB to modernize teaching and learning, promote digital literacy and ensure that schools across the state are adequately prepared for the realities of a technology-driven educational landscape.
By Joy Ndoma
