As part of its strategic mandate, the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) conducts and commissions research to inform policy decisions, improve classroom practice, and drive innovation across Nigeria’s senior secondary education system. Research is central to NSSEC’s commitment to evidence-based reform and continuous improvement.
Objectives of NSSEC Research
- To generate reliable data and insights on senior secondary education trends and challenges
- To evaluate the effectiveness of policies, programs, and interventions
- To inform curriculum development, teacher training, and school governance reforms
- To identify innovations that promote inclusive, equitable, and quality education
- To guide strategic planning and funding allocation at federal and state levels
Key Research Focus Areas
- Curriculum Relevance and Impact
- Alignment of the national senior secondary curriculum with labor market needs and global standards
- Assessment of competency-based and STEM-focused learning outcomes
- Teacher Quality and Professional Development
- Effectiveness of in-service training, AI and digital literacy programs
- Motivation, retention, and performance analysis of senior secondary teachers
- Safe School Implementation
- Studies on school safety policies, risk mitigation strategies, and impact on learning
- Gender-based violence, psychosocial support systems, and student well-being
- Digital Learning and Technology Integration
- Access to ICT tools in schools
- Use of EdTech platforms and robotics/AI learning models
- Efficacy of hybrid learning environments
- TVET and Skills Acquisition
- Assessment of vocational training uptake and student performance
- Tracer studies on graduate employability and entrepreneurship
- Education Equity and Inclusion
- Barriers to access for girls, children with disabilities, and students in rural areas
- Policy interventions for reducing learning poverty and dropout rates
Research Outputs
- Policy Briefs and White Papers
- Annual Education Trends Reports
- Impact Assessment Reports on major NSSEC programs
- Academic Papers and Conference Presentations
- Action Research conducted in collaboration with schools and state boards
Collaborating Institutions
- Nigerian Universities and Colleges of Education
- Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
- International partners such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and DFID
- State Ministries of Education and SSSEBs
Utilization of Research
- Integration into policy formulation and curriculum design
- Planning of teacher training programs and school improvement strategies
- Briefings for National Assembly committees, development partners, and the public
- Support for advocacy, sensitization, and constituency development projects