By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has launched a nationwide learning assessment to measure pupils’ literacy, numeracy and cognitive skills as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s worsening learning crisis and drive evidence-based reforms in the education sector.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the assessment would provide critical data to identify learning gaps, monitor pupils’ performance and guide policies aimed at improving learning outcomes across the country.
Alausa stated this on Friday after monitoring the National Learning Assessment at Government Secondary School, Kuje; Government Junior Secondary School, Kuje Central; and Topaz Model Primary School, Kango, in the Federal Capital Territory.
The assessment covers Primary Three, Primary Five, Junior Secondary School Two (JSS2) and Senior Secondary School Two (SSS2), with pupils being evaluated in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and non-cognitive skills.
“We are conducting this National Learning Assessment to determine the level of understanding of our students in key subjects and to measure their literacy, numeracy and cognitive development,” Alausa said.
The minister explained that the exercise forms part of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative and would establish a benchmark for measuring learning outcomes every three years.
He noted that Nigeria had not conducted national learning assessments consistently, recalling that the last exercise by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) took place in 2023, while the previous assessment by the Federal Ministry of Education was held in 2019.
“Learning assessment should be conducted every three years. We have now put robust processes in place, and UBEC has been directed to make dedicated budgetary provisions so the assessment becomes a regular national exercise beginning from 2029,” he said.
Expressing concern over the country’s high level of learning poverty, Alausa disclosed that many Nigerian children are unable to read age-appropriate texts by the age of 10.
He said the findings from the assessment would enable the government to design targeted interventions to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education had harmonised different assessment models into a single national framework to ensure consistency and facilitate periodic comparison of learning outcomes.
“We have customised different learning assessments into one standardised National Learning Assessment. This will allow us to consistently measure progress as we transform the education sector and ensure every Nigerian child receives quality education,” he said.
Speaking after inspecting public and private schools in Kuje, Alausa praised the learning environment in public schools within the FCT, particularly their cleanliness and maintenance.
“I was impressed by what I saw in the public schools. The environment was clean, the students looked healthy and happy, and there was evidence of good maintenance and greening. I commend the FCT Administration for the quality of the schools,” he said.
While acknowledging the role of private schools in expanding access to education, the minister stressed the need for stronger regulation to ensure compliance with minimum standards.
“Private schools have helped us keep many children in school. Without them, we would have far more out-of-school children. What we need is to encourage them while strengthening regulation to ensure they meet the required standards and provide conducive learning environments,” he added.
Also speaking, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, described the nationwide assessment as a significant step towards improving the quality of education.
Hayyo said the FCT Administration had renovated more than 120 public schools to improve teaching and learning, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the initiative.
“We appreciate the Honourable Minister for this initiative. The FCT Administration has renovated over 120 public schools, including Government Secondary School, Kuje, and we will continue to support every policy that will improve the quality of education in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
