The Federal Government, through the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), has unveiled a nationwide quality assurance monitoring and evaluation scheme designed to transform the sub-sector.

The initiative aims to improve the quality of secondary education in line with the ongoing reforms in the sector. The initiative stemmed from concerns by stakeholders about the poor quality of students graduating from secondary schools who, invariably, will proceed to tertiary institutions.

The national assessment programme was formally flagged off at the Federal Government College, Malali, Kaduna, signalling the beginning of the campaign to improve learning environments, teacher performance, and student outcomes.

Speaking at the event, NSSEC Executive Secretary, Dr Iyela Ajayi, described the initiative as a strategic tool needed to achieve the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which prioritises human capital development through quality education.

“This initiative marks a pivotal moment in our collective pursuit of excellence in education, it is not merely a bureaucratic exercise, but a testament to our commitment to the future of our nation. The quality of education we provide today will determine the success of tomorrow.” Ajayi added.

He further explained that the programme would assess schools against the national minimum standards for senior secondary education, while identifying best practices and areas for improvement.

He said: “Through rigorous monitoring and evaluation, we aim to pinpoint where schools are excelling and where they need support. This effort will promote innovation in teaching, empower educators, and ensure every learner is equipped for life beyond the classroom.”

Director of the Quality Assurance Authority, Prof. Muhammad Zaria, welcomed the initiative, describing it as overdue. He noted that monitoring and evaluation measures have long been the missing link in the country’s education system.

While the government has invested billions in school infrastructure and teacher development, he lamented that structured oversight has been lacking.

Stakeholders, including principals, education directors, and students, lauded the commission’s commitment to raising learning standards, pledging their cooperation in implementing the assessment scheme.

The NSSEC monitoring and evaluation campaign is expected to cover all senior secondary schools nationwide, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to building an equitable and high-performing education system.