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The Federal Ministry of Education has organized a review meeting on the harmonization of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to eliminate the disparity in its quality and standard at the national level.
The Nigerian News Agency reports that the fifth edition of the two-day meeting which started on Wednesday in Ilorin is for Registrars and Chief Executive Officers of state examination bodies and FCTs.
The Director of the Department of Basic Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Ms. Folake Olatunji-David, said the meeting would provide another opportunity to take stock of progress and weak areas in the education sector.
Olatunji-David, Represented Director of Basic Secondary Education, Ms. Edith Osanyinpeju, said the meeting was to harmonize BECE procedures aligning with education policy guidelines in all states.
”This is to advance the course of integrated national development.
“We want to make sure that the test instrument at the Basic Education level is generally of the same standard and that the Basic Education Certificate obtained is universally acceptable for admission to any upper secondary school nationwide.
“Therefore, I commend all State Registrars/Directors and FCT examination bodies to refocus, develop and establish a realistic tradition that will help achieve effective and lasting BECE harmonization and standardization across the country.” said.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Commission for Universal Basic Education, Mr. Hamid Bobboyi, said that the commission attaches great importance to achieving better learning outcomes of secondary school students in BECE.
Bobboyi, Represented Director, Quality Assurance, Federal Ministry of Education, Alhaji Abdulquadr Ibrahim, said that the quality of learning outcomes at this level can affect student performance at the higher education level, which has a major impact. throughout the educational system.
The Permanent Secretary of the Kwara Ministry of Education, Ms. Kemi Adeosun, said that as the BECE is the minimum compulsory certificate in Nigeria, it is important to give the examination full attention to standardize its results.
”This is the base in Nigeria today and we must strive to get it right from the start.
"The meeting is a necessity to expedite the conduct of the exam and discuss best practices and encourage all states, including the FCT, to adopt the same modality to improve the activities of the Basic Exam," he said.
In addition, Kwara Ministry of Education Director of Curriculum and Assessment Hajia Risiqat Raji said the meeting will foster proper synergy and cooperation among insiders in planning, organizing and standardizing BECE conduct on an annual basis.
She said that the state, as one of the states with experience in conducting BECE, was ready to partner with other relevant stakeholders through relevant procedures, information sharing aimed at ensuring quality education and learning.
Presenting a paper at the meeting, Dr Ayodele Asebiomo of the University of Abuja charged the government to invest more in basic education to tackle the scourge of social vices.
He said that investment in education would save the government and society more than could be imagined.
Others at the meeting were Ms. Hamdalat Shagaya, Deputy Director, Curriculum and Assessment, Kwara Ministry of Education, and Alhaji Abdullateef Idiagbon, who represented the President, Kwara SUBEB, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja.
reports that the meeting was organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Kwara Ministry of Education and the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
edited
Source Credit: NAN
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazq of Kwara says his administration will continue to place priority on job creation, youth empowerment and infrastructural development to enable the state attain enviable height.
AbdulRazq stated this while speaking at a townhall meeting held in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Thursday.
He said his administration has put in place measures to remove the state from being a civil service to a more economically viable one.
AbdulRazq added that the state government would also scale up its investment in agriculture to support food production.
He urged traditional institutions to continue to support the state government effort in the maintenance of law and order in their various domains.
Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara South) commended the traditional institution for supporting the state government development programmes.
Ashiru urged his constituents and other residents of the state to support the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as well as the re election bid of governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Rep. Tunji Olawuyi (APC--Ero Federal) constituency of Kwara, commended the state government for ensuring even distribution of dividends of democracy to the nook and cranny of the state.
The Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, said the present administration has brought transformation to education sector in the state.
On his part, the Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council in Irepodun local government area, the Olupo of Ajase -Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, appreciated the effort of the state government for bringing development closer to the people at the grassroots.
The state Chairman of the APC, Mr Sunday Fagbemi, also urged the people of the state to reciprocate the good gesture done to them by the present administration.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Kwara Government says it has trained 117 personnel for implementation of digital literacy to support teaching and learning in the state.
Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB), disclosed this during the grand finale of the 3-day Train the Trainers’ Workshop on Wednesday in Ilorin.
Adaramaja said that the hope of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration to train the participants was to key into technology as a tool to support teaching and learning in the state.
He said that the selected teachers and security personnel for training cut across the 16 local government areas of the state.
“The growth of any nation depends on its technological development.
Developed countries like South Korea, U.
S., Japan, Russia and others all developed through technology.
“Nigeria as a nation cannot continue to rely on oil.
We need to key into technology.
The world is now a global village.
“Gov. AbdulRazaq is aiming towards making Kwara first technology wise in the country.
We want everybody to be part of the technological project,” he said.
The chairman therefore urged the participants to be committed to their service and take technological revolution to their various centres.
He also enjoined them to pass the knowledge to students in their various schools and centres in order to make Kwara first.
“We want our students to compete globally without any doubt.
We are selecting you to take the technology gospel to your various centres and pass it on to the upcoming generation.
“Count yourself lucky to have been selected.
Grab the opportunity with both hands and discharge your duty effectively,” he said.
Adaramaja said there were 39 centres across the state where the participants would be able to train students.
He advised the security personnel to be faithful and be diligent to work in order not to land themselves in trouble.
The SUBEB boss advised the security personnel not to be absent from centres where they will be posted.
“Stay at where you are posted.
You are to protect our computers at various centres.
Don’t run away from work.
You will be held responsible when you are not on ground to monitor our computers,” he warned.
The National Coordinator of the training, Mr Oriyomi Olukumbi, tasked the participants to tick every box and think wide to effectively influence the students.
Olukumbi said the target was to ensure E-learning has come to stay and as well allow students in the state to compete globally.
He commended AbdulRazaq for investing in the training and as well assure technology takes off from the state in the nearest future.
NAN reports that the theme for the training is: “Technology as a Panacea for Improving Learning Outcomes’’.
The 3-day training which commenced on Sept. 26, ended on Sept. 28.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Heads of secondary schools in Kwara have commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq achievement in turning around learning environment and improving teachers welfare in the state.
The principals made the commendation in Ilorin on Wednesday during an open engagement with AbdulRazaq at the Goverment House to feel their pulse on government’s focus on basic education.
This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye.
The statement quoted that over 300 school principals across the 16 local government areas of the state attended the meeting along with some key stakeholders from across the education sector in the state.
The teachers commended the introduction of KwaraLEARN which, they said, was truly impactful, adding that the administration’s interventions have been spread across all parts of the state in a way never seen before.
The teachers, who acknowledged the improvements in their wages and teaching environment, however called on the governor to consider restoring boarding facilities which died a few years ago.
They also appealed to AbdulRazaq to end the pay disparities between teachers in basic classes and their senior secondary school counterparts which he inherited.
The Principal of Ilorin Grammar School, Hajia Muslimat Abdullahi, said the school was one of the schools which benefited from comprehensive renovation of schools under AbdulRazaq’s administration.
“Our school benefitted from not just a few renovations but total renovation of the school.
I also want to express our gratitude to you for the sense of humility and commitment to the welfare of the teachers and students,” she said.
The Principal of Community Junior Secondary School, Ipetu-Igbomina in Irepodun Local Government Area, Mr Babatunde Adegboyega, said the administration has given a befitting facelift to schools while doing its best to promote welfare.
“I want to appreciate your good gesture for the promotion implemented, the welfare packages on salaries as well as changing the facelift of schools through renovation,” Adegboyega said.
The Principal of Queen Elizabeth Senior Secondary School Ilorin, Mrs Sidikat Taye-Lawal, also commended AbdulRazaq for his prompt interventions on issues affecting the school.
“On behalf of the old students of Queen Elizabeth School of which I am one of them, thank you for transforming Queen Elizabeth School to a modern secondary school through the road network.
” We want to appreciate you again for your care and love for the students on exchange programme because I remember last year I was in Minna, Niger State, for the Conference of Principals of Exchange Schools and Kwara State was ranked the best in the programme,” she said.
Mr Umar Abubakar, the Principal of Senior Secondary School Kanko, Shonga District in Edu Local Government Area, said the trajectory of basic education has changed for good since the governor came on board.
Malam Balla Sa’ad, another principal from Islamiyah College, Patigi, described AbdulRazaq as a workaholic governor who has committed so much resources to improve basic education.
Sa’ad however called for the recruitment of more science and languages teachers as well as non-teaching staff, provision of more textbooks in core subjects, in-service training for teachers and improved security network of schools.
ThevPermanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mrs Mary Adeosun, said the governor has been exemplary in his commitment to education which, she said, mirrors his passion for the future of the state.
On his part, the Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, described the interactive session as historic in the state.
He said the challenges faced by teachers would be resolved, but called for patience and understanding of the teachers.
Adaramaja also said pending promotion arrears would soon be implemented, recalling that the administration had similarly fixed some of the promotion arrears it inherited without any political colouration.
The SUBEB boss said training and retraining of teachers has been paramount to the administration, especially with the renewed cordial relationship between UBEC and SUBEB.
Responding, AbdulRazaq acknowledged all the issues raised by the teachers and said his administration remain committed to total revolution of the education sector for Kwara to reclaim its place in Nigeria.
“We have introduced KwaraLEARN programme and I thank you all for embracing the programme.
That’s one of the paths to bringing Kwara back on top in Northern Nigeria and the rest of the country.
“The investment the government and you are making today may not show immediately but it is something that will speak for all of us later in the future.
“I have listened carefully to all the issues of promotions, leave bonuses, uniforms in schools, non-academic staff employment, textbooks, harmonisation between TESCOM and SUBEB salary, in-service trainings, seminars, security in schools, unity schools and exchange students within the state.
“Equipping laboratories in our schools, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, backlog of salaries, girl-child education, encroachment of school properties and building of shops in front of schools.
“These are part of the issues raised today and we will dissect them and take them one after the other,” the governor assured.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara has emerged winner of the State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) Junior Secondary School Students inter-local government radio quiz competition.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Ekiti local government scored 26 points to edge Offa Local Government Area with 24 points as runner up in the keenly contested competition held on Thursday at Mandate Hall, Radio Kwara Station in Ilorin.
The competion involved junior secondary schools in all the 16 local government areas of the state.
NAN also reports that the winner of the quiz went home with N500,000, while Offa received a cash price of N300,000, and Irepodun Local Government Area took home N100,000 for third place courtsey of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The representatives of Ekiti local government students are: Isiah Akogun from Koro Grammar School, Fisayo Adedun; Sulaiman Samod, Comprehensive High School, Obbo Aiyegunle; Iketa Grammar School, OSI and Ogunsakin Damilare; Osi Central Secondary School, OSI.
The Executive Chairman of the KWSUBEB, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, said the pride of any state and nations in the world depend largely on the structure, status and achievements of its basic education.
Adaramaja said Kwara has achieved immensely in education sector under the leadership of AbdulRazaq, who he said prioritised education above other things.
The chairman described the investment in basic education under AbdulRazaq as the highest since the creation of the state in 1967.
“Our education is booming.
Our governor is taking education to next level.
Kwara students are showcasing their talents in all aspects of the organised test of knowledge competitions with other states in Nigeria.
“It is evident in the last Presidential Schools debates championship held in Lagos, which over 26 states participated in the competition.
“Our students from Kwara took the first position and this administration motivated the students by giving them a cash prize of N500,000 each and scholarship to university level,” he said.
He added that the victory in Lagos has led to the selection of Kwara team to represent Nigeria in the World Championship debate competition, which will be held in Dubai from Sept. 3 – 12.
The chairman commended the students, teachers and education stakeholders present at the grand finale of the competition for their time sacrifice and dedication to make the quiz a success.
He said KWSUBEB would be distributing free textbooks for pupils in primary 4, 5 and 6 in core subjects including Mathematics, English Language, History, Basic Science and Technology, beginning from next academic session 20222023. (www.
nannews.
ng)
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has attributed the delay in the payment of SUBEB workers’ June salary to technical hitches. SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, in a statement on Wednesday in Ilorin, said attempt to force the payment through the already faulty platform might result in multiple payments into individual accounts. ” Kwara Government as at last Monday cr
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Chairman, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Shehu Adaramaja, said he would kick-start its data-driven Education Transformation Project (KwaraLEARN) across 365 primary schools on May 16, 2022.
Adaramaja said this at a news conference on Sunday in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He said that the programme will cut across 365 primary schools in the state.
The take off pilot programme are in some schools – in Baruten, Offa, Ilorin East, and Ilorin West local governments of the state.
He explained that the KwaraLEARN intervention by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration is a public education transformation programme to improve teaching and learning in schools.
“They will be using innovative technology, data-driven platforms, high-quality learning materials, effective training and continuous coaching and support for teachers and school administrators.
“KwaraLEARN could not have come at a better time, given the challenges education is facing in Nigeria as captured by a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report delivered during a recent programme.
“Starting with governance, the Kwara State Ministry of Education, KwaraSUBEB and our technical partner, NewGlobe, developed a project communication and coordination plan to guide the management of the programme.
“Stakeholder sensitisation campaigns have also happened in the four pilot local governments, with meetings held with traditional rulers, education trade union representatives and Education Secretaries, among others.
“Today, KwaraLEARN have completed academic field studies in randomly selected schools to learn about teachers’ English fluency and proficiency, pupil oral reading fluency and foundational numeracy,” he said.
Adaramaja said that the process employed by KwaraLEARN has been systematic and scientific to achieve the desired learning outcomes.
He said the decision to start the project is sequel to the critical achievements the state has earlier recorded in academics, governance, stakeholder engagements, operations, school inspection, technology, job creation, leadership and development.
Adaramaja said that the selection of the four local governments for the pilot scheme of KwaraLEARN were randomly picked due to population from both rural and urban centres to check the outcome before a statewide operation.
The SUBEB chairman noted that KwaraLEARN’s key achievements in operations and technology include the delivery of 4,329 teacher tablets and smartphones; procurement of 250 blackboards; and hiring of IT operation teams.
Others are set up of teacher tablets and validation of tech applications in schools. (www.nananews)
(NAN)
The Kwara government has commenced the rehabilitation of Otte Maternity and Dispensary in Asa Local Government Area of the state.
A statement on Monday in Ilorin by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said the administration had awarded the contract for the rehabilitation and re-equipping of the clinic.
Ajakaye added that the clinic, which was in a state of total collapse, served several communities in the local government.
“The rehabilitation work begins this week,” Ajakaye quoted AbdulRazaq as saying during a working visit to the facility in Otte-Oja.
He said the governor also spoke about putting in place an integrated water plant in the community.
“The clinic is part of the over 37 primary health facilities the government is renovating in the first phase of what the administration calls a total overhaul of the primary health care system in the state,” Ajakaye added.
Alhaji Yusuf Abdul, the Alangua of Otte, commended the governor for his many developmental strides in the state, particularly in Asa Local Government Area.
The governor, according to the statement, was accompanied on the visit by Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, a community leader from the area.
(
Edited By: Mufutau Ojo) (NAN)
In its bid to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 in Kwara, the state government has fumigated the campus of the University of Ilorin.
The Chairman, Sub-Committee on Fumigation of Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, disclosed to newsmen in Ilorin on Monday.
He said that the university was among numerous public places fumigated by the committee.
Adaramaja said that premises fumigated in the institution were the Works Department, radio station, clinic, Senate Building, Security Office, University Auditorium, the Faculty of Education, main gate and motor park.
Also fumigated were the walkways, lecture theatres as well as the Central Mosque and the churches.
“Let it be on record that the University of Ilorin, despite being a federal institution, is the first university to be fumigated by the governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq,” Adaramaja said.
He affirmed that infected persons could be cured as long as they report all signs and symptoms noticeable in their communities to the helplines provided by the COVID-19 team.
“Stay at home and follow all established rules as directed by the NCDC.
“The government has established an isolation centre at the Sobi Specialist Hospital and converted the Hajj camp to an isolation centre.
” It has established an oxygen plant at Sobi Hospital, provided medical equipment, approved the payment of N25, 000 per day to frontline doctors and prorate for other health workers involved in the fight against COVID-19.
“The government has also provided health insurance policy for front line workers as well as distributed palliative food items for vulnerable members of the society,” he said.
(
Edited By: Edwin Nwachukwu/Mufutau Ojo) (NAN)
