Kaduna: Uba Sani’s Vision For Education—Deputy Gov

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State is committed to enhancing access to quality education and equipping young people with the necessary knowledge, skills, and character to lead productive and fulfilling lives. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, emphasized during a community engagement event that education is a shared responsibility involving various stakeholders such as the government, teachers, school managers, parents, learners, communities, and society at large.

Dr. Balarabe highlighted that education starts at home, is reinforced in the classroom, and is supported by the community and society. She emphasized that the Kaduna State Government is reforming the education sector, targeting a better experience for children in classrooms. The administration is focusing on strengthening quality assurance in all 23 Local Government Areas, ensuring that schools in remote areas receive the same standards of attention as those in the capital city.

Dr. Balarabe elaborated on various initiatives, including the provision of motorcycles and operational support for Education Quality Assurance Officers to reach more schools, identify problems early, and assist school managers in improving their standards. Additionally, the introduction of hybrid Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for Junior Secondary Certificate Examinations, QR-coded certificates, and stronger examination monitoring measures are part of Kaduna's efforts to maintain the integrity of its education system.

Since 2023, the administration has supported over 800,000 students in Junior and Senior Secondary School examinations, demonstrating its commitment to investing in Kaduna's children's education. The Director General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Prof. Abubakar Usman Zaria, discussed how the current administration has overhauled quality assurance, shifting from a fault-finding approach to value creation, data-driven methods, and continuous improvement.

Prof. Zaria explained that the Authority is transitioning from paper-based reporting to digital, real-time evidence through the EduMonitor App. The Authority has standardized and automated more than 20 quality assurance tools, ranging from examination clearance and candidate affiliation to school categorization, proposed site assessment, book assessment, private school licensing, and annual quality assurance reporting.

The QR-coded certificates, BECE certificates, and annual private-school operating licenses are designed to enhance verification and deter fraud and forgery. Prof. Zaria also mentioned the introduction of an Annual Quality Assurance Report as part of private-school license renewal, emphasizing that quality should be continuously demonstrated throughout the year.

Despite the digital advancements, Prof. Zaria acknowledged the importance of field officers reaching schools, especially those in remote areas. To support their efforts, 50 motorcycles have been allocated to the field officers across the 23 Local Government Areas, along with monthly operational and monitoring allowances, ensuring that the quality assurance efforts extend to even the most challenging and hard-to-reach communities.