KADUNA NEW TRAINERS: Our First Experience In Katsina State As Jolly Phonics National Trainers -By Aliyu Baba Mohammed

For every human being, the transition of life endeavours from grass to grace is always a thing of joy. Progress is an ultimate desire of every human being at all times. Meanwhile, for those who deeply understood the rule of life progression, they knew that there’s always a price to pay for it (mostly through diligence).

Like five years back (2018 precisely), most of us were hearing the words “Jolly and Phonics” for the first time being listed to attend Jolly Phonics training out of hundreds of others from our respective LGEAs. Therefore, consciously, we understood that it was a great privilege we cannot afford to mess with. 

When we went back to our schools after the first training, we noticed/recognized the magical impact of Jolly Phonics Methodology in teaching the children how to Read and Write. Hence, so much love to propagate the JP Methodology arose.

Most of us faced one/two challenges from some colleagues while trying to instill the method in them, especially after becoming the Teacher Leaders. However, every great endeavor in the life of a human being strives when there is commitment; no matter the obstacles. We had them, we stood firm to face them and ultimately, we were called to attend a test to see if we can also do it at the national level.

We received a Jolly invitation from the great and Jolliest Abbas Muhammad to attend the train the trainers workshop (TTT-KADUNA-2022). 

Our dear reader, we’ve written a report/piece like this that talked about the interesting and at the same time, hectic activities that transpired at the training the trainers workshop. As such, we’ll be giving you the gists of Our First Experience outside our home state, Kaduna state.

At this juncture, permit us to feed you with the names of those of us who took part in the Katsina BESDA P1 training from 25th-27th August, 2022; as trainers among the new members added to the list of Kaduna national trainers’ team. 

We have the honour to introduce to you: Jolly Victor Kingsley Acha, Jolly Aliyu Baba Muhammad, Jolly Wasilat Abdul’aziz, Jolly Sakinat Ibrahim, Jolly Basirat Muhammad and Jolly Zulaihat Abdullahi Yamusa. These are the six among the 12 newly crowned national trainers and 5 assistant trainers in Kaduna state.

Lady/Gentleman, during our interaction with Jolly Basirat Muhammad, she revealed to our reporter that she was in full control of her nerves despite the fact that the training was her first outside her domain. Basirat added that the training was though hectic as most of her participants were encountering Jolly Phonics for the first time. There was a lot to do, however, it was an awesome experience for her.

“Well, it was a tasking experience having participants encountering Jolly Phonics for the first time. Nevertheless, putting them through and introducing them to the world of Jolly Phonics was an awesome experience.” She said,

On his part, Victor Kingsley Acha said the training was so entertaining as well as impactful despite having it as his first experience outside Kaduna. Victor added that the participants were very eager to learn as newcomers into the world of Jolly phonics, and that made the training very interesting in displaying his skills in teaching Jolly Phonics to these fresh stars. 

“Actually, this is my first time having participants who are just coming into the Jolly Phonics world for the first time. It was really interesting as the participants were very willing to learn.”

He further thanked the the management and staff of Universal Learning Solutions for giving him the opportunity to explore and display his passion for Jolly Phonics.

According to Wasilat Abdul’aziz, it was an awesome experience for her throughout the training despite the fact that there was a lot to do. 

“Okay, it was an awesome experience for me even though most of the participants were still novice in Jolly Phonics. And more interestingly, Katsina state is my state of origin. So I was having so much zeal to give them the best.” She said,

Also among us was Sakinat Ibrahim of Sabon Gari local government area who said the experience was a memorable one. Sakinat revealed to our reporter that she had a great time with her participants even though they were mostly newbies that demanded so much work from her. 

“Seriously, the training was very interesting. The first day, I noticed that the participants were mostly new-comers into the world of Jolly Phonics and at that point I knew I had much to do. Amazingly, the participants were also willing to learn and I gave them the best. All in all, everything is Alhamdulillah.”

In her response, Zulaihat Abdullahi Yamusa said she was well prepared to give the best training as a new trainer outside her home state. Hence, she was able to maintain her strength and activeness throughout the training time.

Zulaihat added that the participants actively participated in the activities and that fully gave her a mind blowing training session in her first experience in Katsina state.

“Though it was my first time training outside my state, I found it very interesting because I was energetic all through the three days. The active participation of the participants was also great and all in all, the training was superb.” She said,

Reacting to his experience, Aliyu Baba Mohammed said the whole of the training period was a great moment and wonderful experience he would live to remember. Aliyu further said the active participation and the willingness of the participants to learn was a morale booster for him throughout the training session.

“Actually, it was a wonderful experience for me. The engagements of the trainees were encouraging. Their zeal to learn the Jolly Phonics Methodology in teaching the children how to read and write was a morale booster. All in all, I enjoyed every moment of the training.”

He added that the success of the training could be greatly attributed to the organizers and officials of the training who were up and doing to ensure a hitch free training.

The new trainers appreciated the efforts of the officials for giving them much support and encouragement to put in their best. They specially thanked their mentor (The Jolliest Abbas Muhammad) for his mentorship and confidence reposed in them. The trainers said the words of mouth alone cannot express their joy and appreciation to their mentor, however, prayers for God’s protection and guidance upon his life and his entire family will never cease on their lips.

In his reaction, the mentor of the young trainers, Jolly Abbas Muhammad said the new trainers exhibited a great sense of responsibility and enthusiasm in delivering the training. He lauded the efforts of the new trainers and the officials in general.

“First and foremost, I would like to appreciate the commitment, the talent, the extraordinary performance and the cooperation of the new trainers and all the stakeholders during the just concluded Katsina BESDA P1 training. I can actually beat my chest that the new trainers did wonderfully well.”

Jolly Abbas Muhammad added that the trainers have fully shown their readiness to handle the Jolly Phonics trainings at the national level. While urging them to keep the tempo, he further admonished the new trainers never to relent in improving their capacity in training presentations.

“They should never think that they have arrived. No! I want them to know that this is the beginning of the new challenge for them; as such, it is time for them to work harder in studying and understanding their materials and every aspect of Jolly Phonics. They need to keep developing themselves.”

He further advised them to develop more training spirit, perseverance and time management in delivering the training, so as to allow the participants to have ample time in making presentations and for them to give corrections where necessary. 

He also appreciated the engagements of outdoor activities by some trainers with their participants, while advising the new trainers to do more on the aspect of outdoor activities which shouldn’t be only in the last day of the training.

“I like the way most of you took the participants out for outdoor activities but there is a need for more. It should not necessarily be on the last day, you can take the participants out especially on the second day. This would greatly refresh them.”

Commenting on the training equipment, Jolly Abbas cautioned the new trainers to always endeavour to come to training with every needed materials and gadgets, especially laptop.

“Some of them had laptop issues and one didn’t even come with any; I want that to be corrected. This should be the first and the last time such a thing would happen. You can hire, borrow or buy yourself a workable laptop for training presentations and other things.”

Jolly Abbas Muhammad who monitored, and also managed the training session for three days appreciated all the stakeholders who made the training a success, while looking forward for continuous support and collaboration in delivering Jolly Phonics trainings across the country.