Kaduna: Uba Sani has huge vision for education – Deputy Gov

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani is determined to enhance access to quality education and prepare young individuals with the necessary skills and values for a productive life, according to Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe. Speaking at a community engagement event organized by the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Dr Balarabe emphasized that education is a collective responsibility that involves the government, educators, parents, students, communities, and all stakeholders.

She highlighted that education starts at home, continues in the classroom, is supported by the community, and ultimately protected by the society.

The Deputy Governor further discussed the Governor Uba Sani administration's educational reforms, which are transforming the classroom experience for children. She explained that Kaduna State is committed to ensuring that schools in remote areas receive the same level of attention to standards as those in the state capital. To achieve this, the administration has provided motorcycles and other operational support to Education Quality Assurance Officers, enabling them to reach more schools and address issues at an early stage.

The Deputy Governor also highlighted the introduction of hybrid computer-based testing for the Junior Secondary Certificate Examination, QR-coded certificates, and stricter examination monitoring as part of Kaduna's dedication to maintaining the integrity of the education system. Over the past two years, the Sani administration has supported more than 800,000 students in both Junior and Senior Secondary School examinations, demonstrating their commitment to investing in the education of Kaduna children.

In his opening remarks, Director General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Prof Abubakar Usman Zaria, discussed the administration's overhaul of the concept of quality assurance. He explained that the focus has shifted from fault-finding to value creation, from paper-based documentation to data-driven approaches, and from inspections to continuous improvement.

Prof Zaria announced that the Authority is transitioning school monitoring from traditional paper-based reporting to a digital, real-time system using the EduMonitor App.

The Director General also disclosed that educational documents such as BECE certificates, Consent certificates, and annual private-school operating licenses now include QR codes, which enhance verification and protect against fraud and forgery. Furthermore, the Authority has introduced annual quality assurance reports as part of private-school license renewals, emphasizing that quality must be consistently maintained throughout the year, not just when seeking a license.