ARIGBABU ADVOCATES CREATIVE TEACHING METHODS FOR CHEMISTRY SUBJECT

Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu has posited that the knowledge of chemistry is central to the understanding of many fields, such as agriculture, medicine, geology, and many more, hence the need to deploy creative and interactive teaching methodology to make it interesting and easier for learners.

Arigbabu dropped the hint in Abeokuta, at the maiden capacity building for secondary school chemistry teachers across the State, organised by the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Ogun State Chapter, with the theme: ‘‘Strategies of Teaching Difficult Concepts in Chemistry”.

He stated that it was essential for chemistry teachers to update their knowledge and skills in modern ways of teaching the subject, to help the learners to understand the subject better.  

The Commissioner reaffirmed the present administration’s commitment to teachers' development, saying they were the driving force in the teaching and learning process, commending the association for the initiative, and urged the participants to maximise the knowledge acquired to further prepare their students for a promising future.

In his welcome address, the President, CSN, Prof. Moses Chendo, represented by the State Chairman, Dr. Oluwole Babajide revealed that a new dimension of teaching chemistry was needed due to the changes in the way students learn and understand it.

Chendo added that the widespread implementation of computer and information technologies to visualise complex scientific phenomena, level of chemistry literacy, and public understanding of science were also necessary to deliver quality teaching of the subject.

In his presentation, the resource person, a Professor of Analytical and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Johnson Oyekunle said it was important to constantly upgrade the knowledge of Chemistry teachers, develop a collaborative approach with other tutors, provide multifaceted encouragement for them to render services beyond the limit of call,  among others.