The Executive Chairman of Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board, Malam Umaru Hassan B., has described the Jolly Phonics programme as a structured, evidence-based method that helps pupils become confident readers and writers quickly while building a strong foundation in the English language.
He made the remarks during an executive monitoring exercise to assess how Jolly Phonics lessons are being delivered in schools across the state. He emphasized the critical importance of the English language in Nigeria’s education system and national life.
It is actually a way of enhancing the learning of the English language. The English language, we all know, is one of the most important subjects in the nation’s curriculum because you can’t do anything without English. English is a requirement for admission into tertiary institutions. English is actually the official language of communication – Babawo
He explained that building English language proficiency from the primary school level gives children a significant advantage for their future;
Building English language as a foundation from the primary schools would definitely go a long way in giving the children who would benefit from this programme a head start in whatever it is they are going to do in the future
The Technical Education Specialist from Universal Learning Solutions, Jolly Abbas Mohammed, provided an overview of the programme’s implementation in Yobe State. He revealed that 1,250 teachers have been trained on Jolly Phonics teaching methods.
In this exercise, we’re here to monitor and mentor our teachers to see how they are delivering the lessons. When we see them in action, it will help us to better understand their challenges and provide technical solutions for them in order to improve their teaching and learning with their pupils in their classrooms – Abbas
The executive monitoring exercise allows Universal Learning Solutions to observe teachers implementing the phonics approach in real classroom settings, identify areas where additional support is needed, and develop strategies to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Jolly Phonics is a popular multi-sensory programme from Jolly Learning that teaches reading and writing using a synthetic phonics approach. The method incorporates fun elements like stories, songs and actions for the 42 English letter sounds, making learning engaging for young children.
The programme’s emphasis on phonics helps children understand the relationship between letters and sounds that represent them, enabling them to decode words systematically rather than relying solely on memorization. This approach aligns with reading science research showing that systematic phonics instruction is highly effective for early literacy development.
By training over 1,000 teachers in the methodology, Yobe SUBEB is working to ensure that the benefits of evidence-based literacy instruction reach pupils across the state. The ongoing executive monitoring and mentoring component demonstrates commitment to quality implementation beyond initial training.
The executive chairman’s emphasis on English as the foundation for future success reflects the practical reality that proficiency in the language opens doors to educational and career opportunities in Nigeria. Starting this foundation at the primary level gives pupils years to develop confidence and competence before facing critical examinations.
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