This policy brief provides an overview of the operational study by EDOREN on the Female Teacher Trainee Scholarship Scheme. The scheme has been operating in Bauchi, Katsina, Niger and Sokoto since 2008 and in 2012 was expanded to Zamfara states as well. It provides women in rural areas a scholarship to get the Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE) teaching qualification at a state College of Education. In return, they are expected to teach in their local, rural school for two years after completing their training.
During the preiod in question 7,800 WOMEN were awarded scholarships across five States. 84% of trainees (majority) expressed the intention to fulfil their commitment to teach in a rural school for 2 years after graduation. However, for teacher training, there were also significant challenges. A tracked sample in two states, Bauchi and Niger, suggested that few FTTSS trainees manage to graduate. In Niger State, for example, only 17% of trainees graduated after 4 years.
The main reasons for low FTTSS graduation rates pertain to selection problems with trainees and challenges at the college environment. For example:
- Some trainees did not have the minimum academic qualifications;
- Trainees thought the NCE course was too difficult, lacked study skills and had limited English proficiency: students in their final year sometimes did not understand classes at all, and were unable to read in English.
- Overcrowding in college lectures: not all students could sit, see or hear the lecture.
- Lectures were theory-heavy, not participatory, and there was little support or time for student questions.
Recommendations included: Enrolling all lower-qualified FTTSS trainees in a pre-NCE course, stipulating that continuation is contingent on successful completion; and transforming FTTSS to focus directly on qualified female teachers and deployment where needed the most.