Oeqa Commences Monitoring of School Resumption Activities in Lagos State

Oeqa Commences Monitoring of School Resumption Activities in Lagos State

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… Advocates Safe Learning Environment, Child Protection

The Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) commenced the monitoring of school resumption activities on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Mr. Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Mrs. Comfort Agunlejika. 

Mr. Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar. 

He added that the team was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries and makeshift attendance registers, are in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

He emphasised the importance of teachers completing the free online Safeguarding and Child Protection course, stressing that the Lagos State Government remains committed to creating a safe and child-friendly learning environment.

According to him, the government takes the state of school environments seriously and schools must ensure proper waste disposal without delay to avoid environmental hazards that may affect learning.

While addressing SSS III students, Mr. Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations.

During the visit, Mr. Abdul and his team also inspected school facilities to assess their safety for both students and staff. He assured the school management that a comprehensive needs assessment report would be compiled and submitted to the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun. 

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.

The Coordinating Director was accompanied on the visit by senior OEQA officials including the Director of Private Education and Special Programmes, Dr. Sulaiman Ogunmuyiwa; the Coordinating Director of Education District III, Mr. Abiodun Fajobi; the Director of Monitoring and Investigation, Mrs. Kafilat Ashimi and the Zonal Director, Education District III, Mrs. Jumoke Akinsanya, among others.

Some of the schools visited during the monitoring exercise include Dolphin Senior High School, Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Jama-at-ul-Islamiyya Nursery and Primary School, Ebute Elefun Junior and Senior High Schools, and Epetedo Senior and Junior High Schools, all under Education District III.

Source: Lagos State Government

Implementation of quality benchmarks for senior secondary schools

Implementation of quality benchmarks for senior secondary schools ongoing, says NSSEC

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The Executive Secretary of National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr. Iyela Ajayi, has asserted that plans are being implemented to change the fortunes of public and private senior secondary schools in the country.

The NSSEC was established to tackle the neglect of the senior secondary education, regulate and improve the quality of the sub-sector.

Dr. Ajayi noted that any school that falls below the benchmarks requirements is not conducive for teaching and learning.

For instance, he explained that the benchmarks specified the number of students in every class, the qualification of teachers, the teacher- students ratio, the quality and quantity of non-teaching staff, the availability of staff offices, adequate and size of classrooms, provision of laboratories, library,  ICT room,  toilets, admin block, safety measures, availability and use of approved curriculum among others. “Ultimately, the aim of benchmarks is to promote standards and quality in our senior secondary schools,” he said.

Justifying the establishment of the commission, in an interview with The Nation, Ajayi said: “Yes, we have justified the establishment of the commission. Remember the commission was established with the core mandates to regulate and intervene in senior secondary education in Nigeria.

 “The commission prepared a document on a four years strategic plan for the development of senior secondary education in Nigeria (2023-2027). This document was approved by stakeholders, published and launched by the former Minister of Education.

“Since 2021, the commission has been embarking on the Monitoring and Evaluation of senior secondary schools. This is an annual exercise and it is on presently.

“The commission produced a document on the National Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria.  This document, which is the first of its kind for senior secondary education in Nigeria, has clearly defined the benchmarks for all aspects of this sub-sector.

 If we are to promote quality, no school will be allowed to go below the benchmarks specified in the document.  The document was approved by stakeholders in all the zones of the country, approved by the National Council on Education, published and launched by the Ministers of Education.”

He added that the commission also launched an Artificial Intelligence training programme to equip 6,000 select senior secondary school teachers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative, which was organised by the commission and sponsored by Google Research, seeks to integrate AI into the educational system to enhance teaching methods and empower educators with the skills to prepare students for a technology-driven future.

As an intervention agency, the commission’s executive secretary asserted: “The commission has continued to embark on the capacity building of teachers and non-teachers in senior secondary schools. For instance on a yearly basis, teachers of English and Mathematics are trained on pedagogy.

“The commission embarked on the capacity building of traditional rulers, especially their roles in boosting enrolment and promoting security in senior secondary schools. The commission collaborated and partnered with British Council and American Embassy to train teachers and heads of senior secondary schools.

“The commission initiated stakeholders meeting with School Based Management Committees in all the states with the aim of promoting effective governance in senior secondary schools.

Source: THE NATION