TheCable

One Million Teachers (1MT), a Canadian educational technology startup, has signed a partnership agreement with Sterling Bank Nigeria to kick off a training programme for teachers in Nigeria.

Also included in the partnership is the adoption of the learning curriculum of the scheme by the bank.

A few weeks ago, the educational startup had signed an agreement with Queens University, Canada, on its teacher education programme which will be run by the school’s faculty of education.

In a statement, 1 Million Teachers said its foot-print has been registered in 15 African countries with more to be added before the end of 2018.

Commenting on the partnership, Hakeem Subair, global chief executive officer of 1MT, said the “milestone partnership” with Sterling Bank sign-posts the commitment of 1MT towards providing an enabling platform for the development and advancement of teachers in Africa.

“Education has been identified as a key driver for the eradication of poverty and economic rejuvenation of the African Continent and it is our belief that the training offered on the 1 Million Teachers (1MT) platform added to the exposure to a world class community of trainers and teachers including performance rewards and exchange programs will motivate the teachers towards offering the best to their students,” he said.

During a visit of 1MT team to Nigeria in July, Peter Chin, associate dean of undergraduate studies, Queen University, said the programme holds mutual benefits both to candidates at the faculty and teachers in Nigeria.

Femi Adeniran, global chief commercial officer of 1MT, said in addition to Sterling Bank, the company is already in talks with key stakeholders and regulators of public and private educational institutions in Nigeria and other African countries where 1MT has its presence.

He added that the company was also in talks with a leading telecommunications company with good spread within Africa and service quality for a rapid off take and wide adoption.