Contributing, thriving to National Development, Quality Assurance is paramount for Nigeria’s Education system— Professor Mohammed
The Director, Centre for General Nigerian Studies, Lagos State University, Professor M.O.B. Mohammed, FNAEAP, while delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the annual capacity building training workshop for evaluators, affirmed that quality assurance is crucial and paramount for Nigeria’s education system to thrive and contribute to national development, and Nigerian government and accrediting bodies play pivotal roles in maintaining and improving educational quality.
The professor of Higher Educational Management and Politics of Education made this known on Monday, 29th July 2024 while presenting his keynote address title “The Role of Quality Assurance in Nigeria’s Education System”, at the Lagos State Chambers of Commerce Industry Conference Room, Alausa, Ikeja.
He urged the evaluators to embrace soft skills that will assist them in carrying out their duties diligently and without bias. He further added that prompt payment of staff salaries, provision of educational facilities, and appropriate budgetary allocation to the education sector are some of the ways the state government promotes quality education.
Prof. Mohammed charged evaluators to embrace new innovation in teaching methodologies and curriculum design to adapt to evolving educational needs, promote the use of technology for remote learning, efficient assessment processes, and foster more international partnerships and knowledge exchange to further elevate the quality of Nigerian education.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, in his address, vowed to reward education evaluators under the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), naming them as priceless assets essential for achieving the greater Lagos vision. He asserted that the workshop training will equip evaluators with the latest knowledge and skills, ensure consistency and standardization in evaluation techniques, and improve stakeholder engagement.
Speaking further, the commissioner commended the evaluators for their time, dedication and professionalism, and state that their roles as evaluators are very crucial in their mission to provide high quality education. He explicate that the reward system will include incentives and recognition designed to celebrate outstanding performance among evaluators which would enhance educational outcomes and ensure that Lagos State remains at the vanguard of educational excellence in Nigeria and its diaspora.
Earlier at the workshop, the Director, Directorate of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Basic Secondary Education, Mrs Hameedat Sanni, in her opening remarks, accentuated the significance of the training workshop, stating that it is a strategic initiative to strengthen the capabilities of evaluators and drive excellence in education.
The workshop, with the theme “Driving Excellence in Education: Innovations and Best Practices in Quality Assurance,” is aimed to enhance the capabilities of evaluators, professionals and experts to discuss and learn about innovative approaches that drive excellence in education quality assurance, and improve the overall quality of education in the state.
She urged participants to embrace a growth mindset and made use of knowledge gained from the workshop to raise the standards of education in their respective schools and districts.
The annual capacity building training and workshop for evaluators, which commenced on Monday, 29th July 2024, will come to a close on Friday, 2nd August 2024.
