FG Begins Nationwide Assessment to Combat Learning Poverty

The Federal Government has commenced a nationwide learning assessment to measure pupils’ literacy, numeracy and cognitive skills as part of efforts to tackle learning poverty and improve the quality of education across the country.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the exercise would provide the data required to identify learning gaps and guide reforms aimed at raising educational standards nationwide.

Alausa spoke 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 (FCT).

The minister said the assessment covers pupils in Primary Three, Primary Five, Junior Secondary School Two (JSS2) and Senior Secondary School Two (SSS2), with tests focusing on English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and non-cognitive skills.

According to him, the exercise is designed to determine the level of understanding among learners and establish reliable data for evidence-based policymaking.

“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.

He explained that the assessment forms part of the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative and would serve as a benchmark for tracking learning outcomes every three years.

The minister noted that Nigeria had not consistently conducted national learning assessments, recalling that the last assessment by the Federal Ministry of Education took place in 2019, while the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) conducted a similar exercise in 2023.

“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.

Alausa expressed concern over the level of learning poverty in the country, revealing that many Nigerian children were unable to read and comprehend age-appropriate texts by the age of 10.

He said the assessment would enable government to identify specific areas of weakness and implement targeted interventions to improve learning outcomes across all levels of basic education.

The minister also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education had harmonised multiple assessment models into a single national framework to ensure consistency and make it easier to compare learning outcomes over time.

“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.

Following the assessment exercise, Alausa inspected public and private schools in Kuje, where he commended the quality of infrastructure and learning environment in public schools within the FCT.

He described the schools as clean and well-maintained, noting that the students appeared healthy and were learning in conducive surroundings.

“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,” the minister said.

While acknowledging the contribution of private schools to expanding access to education, Alausa 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 major step towards improving learning outcomes in Nigeria.

He said the FCT Administration would continue to support the initiative, noting that more than 120 public schools had been renovated under the current administration, including Government Secondary School, Kuje.

“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,” Hayyo said.

The National Learning Assessment is expected to provide government with comprehensive data on pupils’ performance across the country and guide future policies aimed at reducing learning poverty and improving the quality of teaching and learning in Nigerian schools.