The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA), under the visionary leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Usman Abubakar Zaria and in collaboration with the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), has successfully completed a comprehensive training programme aimed at revolutionizing school evaluation practices across the state.
This transformative initiative, advanced by the Ministry of Education, under Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello, spearheaded by the current Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Mal. Uba Sani, and his unwavering commitment to quality education, is poised to significantly impact the learning landscape in Kaduna State.
The success of this programme is a testament to Governor Senator Uba Sani’sĀ unwavering commitment to quality education for all children in Kaduna State. His prioritization of education is evident in the allocation of 25.19% of the 2024 state budget to the sector, making it one of the highest in Nigeria. Additionally, education remains a key pillar of his SUSTAIN Agenda, highlighting its critical role in driving sustainable development.
The first batch of the workshop programme, held from 13th to 23rd December, 2023, equipped 25 trainees with advanced skills and knowledge in whole-school evaluation. These master trainers, along with experienced evaluators, then cascaded their expertise to 276 participants across 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), resulting in a total of 301 certified evaluators.
This formidable workforce will now be instrumental in conducting thorough and impactful assessments of schools throughout Kaduna.
The training focused on equipping participants with the necessary tools and methodologies to effectively evaluate various aspects of a school, including leadership, teaching practices, learning environment, and student outcomes. This holistic approach will ensure a comprehensive understanding of each school’s strengths and weaknesses, paving the way for targeted interventions and improvement strategies.
The implementation of this programme is expected to yield numerous benefits for Kaduna’s education system, including:
ā¢ Enhanced quality of education: The rigorous evaluation process will identify areas needing improvement and guide targeted interventions, leading to better learning outcomes for students.
ā¢ Strengthened KSSQAA: The newly trained evaluators will bolster KSSQAA’s capacity to conduct comprehensive school evaluations, ensuring consistent quality standards across the state.
ā¢ Increased accountability and transparency: The objective evaluation process will foster trust and integrity within the education system, holding schools accountable for their performance.
With a competent pool of evaluators equipped with advanced skills, a supportive government prioritizing education, and a visionary leader like Dr. Usman Abubakar Zaria overseeing the KSSQAA, Kaduna is poised to witness a significant improvement in the quality of its education system. This initiative paves the way for a brighter future for students, teachers, and the entire education community in the state.
