By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The federal government has digitalised the selection process for the 2026 President’s Teachers’ and Schools’ Excellence Awards (PTSEA), ending the manual process previously used in selecting outstanding teachers and schools.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration scheduled for Monday, October 5.
World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5 and has been celebrated since 1994. The 2026 edition also marks 60 years of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which established international standards relating to teachers’ rights, responsibilities, preparation, recruitment, employment and working conditions.
Prof Ahmad said the digital selection process was introduced in line with African Union guidelines to promote transparency, accountability, security and proper documentation in the selection of awardees.
She said, “For the first time, the selection process coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Education was digitalised in line with the African Union guidelines to ensure certainty, accountability and reference”.
The minister said the annual celebration, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), would focus on transforming the teaching profession and preparing teachers for the demands of a rapidly changing world.
According to her, the celebration would focus on five interconnected pillars; innovation, mobility, artificial intelligence, inclusion and professional excellence.
The minister said 14 teachers, schools and other education stakeholders would be recognised under the 2026 awards, with the first, second and third-best teachers receiving prizes, while other awardees would receive laptops.
She said teachers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would participate in the October 5 celebration, including a march-past featuring state flags and cultural attire to showcase unity, diversity and cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) President, Comrade Titus Amba, the union’s Deputy National President, Kizito Kalu, said the changing nature of education made it necessary to TV strengthen rather than diminish the professional role of teachers.
Kalu said technology and artificial intelligence were transforming education, but teachers must remain at the centre of the learning process.
“The NUT believes that a strong education system cannot be built without a strong, respected and adequately supported teaching profession,” he said.
He added that teachers needed to be equipped to navigate technological changes with confidence and competence.
“The future of education must therefore be a future in which teachers are empowered to adapt, innovate and continue to exercise their professional judgement,” Kalu added.
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