FME, UBEC, SUBEB Train Education Officers on National Learning Assessment in Ogun

By Popoola Jamiu

The Federal Ministry of Education (FME), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has trained education officers on the implementation of the National Learning Assessment (NLA) in public primary and secondary schools across Ogun State.

The training, held at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta, was designed to equip education officers from the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and SUBEB with the skills required to effectively conduct the nationwide assessment.

The National Learning Assessment is aimed at evaluating learners’ academic performance in line with the national curriculum and generating data to improve the quality of education.

Speaking at the training, the Chairman of Ogun SUBEB, Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Oluseyi Oke, said the exercise was strictly for data collection and urged participants to discharge their duties diligently to ensure a credible and successful assessment.

He also called on officers at both the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) and SUBEB levels to ensure the exercise was conducted smoothly in schools across the state.

In her remarks, the South-West Zonal Director of UBEC, Mrs. Beatrice Okei, described the assessment as a nationwide exercise covering all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She explained that the outcome would provide government with reliable data to identify learning gaps and areas requiring intervention to improve pupils’ academic performance.

Okei assured participants that all materials needed for the assessment would be made available and commended development partners, including UNICEF and the World Bank, for their continued support toward improving basic education in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Wasiu Adewale, said the initiative was designed to determine whether learners were effectively acquiring knowledge in line with the approved curriculum.

He urged participants to maintain professionalism throughout the exercise, noting that the credibility of the assessment would have far-reaching benefits for the country’s education sector.

A Technical Officer with UBEC, Mr. Josu Noah, explained that the assessment would measure learning outcomes among pupils across the country, with students expected to be tested in English Language, Mathematics, Science and Citizenship Education.

He advised participants to adequately sensitise headteachers and principals of selected schools ahead of the exercise to ensure its successful implementation.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr. Oluyemi Egunleti expressed appreciation for the training and assured the organisers that the assessment would be conducted in a fair, transparent and professional manner.