Many Private Schools Are Centres of Exam Malpractice – NSSEC Secretary
Dr. Ajayi Iyela, the Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), spoke with Deborah Tolu-Kolawole about the commission’s plans to improve the quality of senior secondary education in Nigeria. Below are excerpts from the interview:
Why was the Senior Secondary School Commission established?
In 2004, the government restructured secondary education, separating junior secondary education and merging it with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). UBEC became the regulatory and intervention agency for junior secondary and basic education, leaving senior secondary education without a regulatory or intervention agency.
This neglect resulted in decayed infrastructure, inadequate facilities, low student achievement rates, and other issues. While tertiary institutions like universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have regulatory and intervention bodies such as the NUC and TETFUND, senior secondary education lacked similar support.
Establishing this commission aims to reverse the decline in the senior secondary education sub-sector by ensuring proper regulation, intervention, and improvement.
What are the minimum standards for establishing secondary schools in Nigeria?
Standards include the teacher-student ratio (1:40 for senior secondary schools per the National Policy on Education), qualifications for teachers and principals, classroom sizes, and safety measures for students.
The commission has finalized guidelines for these standards, approved by the National Council on Education. These standards will address gaps in infrastructure, teacher training, and the quality of education. Additionally, capacity-building programs for teachers, particularly in core subjects like English and Mathematics, have been initiated.
Have state governments adopted the idea of secondary school monitoring through education boards?
Yes, several states have established their boards, as required by the commission’s mandate. For any state to benefit from the commission’s intervention, they must replicate the commission at the state level, even though their agencies will be called boards.
So far, about 20 states, including Kogi State, have established their boards. The commission has also introduced monitoring systems to evaluate students’ achievements in subjects like English and Mathematics.
What is being done to address the proliferation of private secondary schools?
The truth is private schools play a critical role, as they constitute about 70-80% of Nigeria’s secondary schools. However, many operate below standard, with inadequate facilities and unqualified teachers.
The commission plans to enforce regulations across all schools, ensuring compliance with minimum standards. Regardless of location—whether remote or urban—the commission aims to monitor all schools and take appropriate actions where necessary.
Many private schools charge exorbitant fees while paying teachers meagre salaries. Is there a plan to improve staff welfare?
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, is focused on improving teachers’ welfare and capacity. This includes advocating for better salaries and training opportunities for teachers, especially in private schools, where poor pay and lack of motivation are prevalent issues.
The commission plans to address these challenges by ensuring that private school teachers are well-trained and properly compensated, recognizing that quality education depends heavily on teacher competence and motivation.
How important are partnerships with organizations like UNICEF and the British Council?
Partnerships with international organizations like UNICEF, the British Council, and the United States Embassy have been instrumental in training teachers and improving education standards. These collaborations are a key part of the commission’s strategy to enhance senior secondary education across the country.
Why is reviewing the senior secondary school curriculum crucial?
The curriculum reflects the level of development of a country. Countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan emphasize technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial education, which is vital for economic growth.
Nigeria’s current curriculum has been criticized for being irrelevant to the nation’s needs. The commission is developing a new senior secondary curriculum to address these shortcomings, with a focus on aligning education with the country’s developmental goals.
This interview highlights the commission’s commitment to reforming senior secondary education in Nigeria by addressing systemic issues, enforcing regulations, and fostering partnerships for development.
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