FG rolls out national learning assessment to address learning poverty

The Federal Government has commenced a nationwide learning assessment aimed at measuring pupils’ literacy, numeracy and cognitive skills as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s learning crisis and improve educational outcomes across the country.

Maruf Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, said the exercise would provide critical data needed to identify learning gaps, track progress and guide reforms under the Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

Alausa spoke on Friday in Abuja after monitoring the ongoing National Learning Assessment at Government Secondary School, Kuje; Government Junior Secondary School, Kuje Central; and Topaz Model Primary School, Kango.

According to the minister, the assessment covers pupils in Primary Three and Primary Five, as well as students in Junior Secondary School Two (JSS2) and Senior Secondary School Two (SSS2). The exercise focuses on English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science and non-cognitive skills to evaluate the quality of learning across the country.

“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 would serve as a benchmark for measuring learning outcomes nationwide and would be conducted every three years going forward.

The minister noted that Nigeria had not maintained a consistent cycle of national learning assessments, recalling that the last exercise conducted by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) took place in 2023, while the previous assessment by the Federal Ministry of Education was carried out 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.

Alausa expressed concern over the prevalence of learning poverty in the country, revealing that many children are unable to read and understand age-appropriate texts by the age of 10.

He said the assessment would enable the government to generate reliable evidence for policymaking and design targeted interventions to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

The minister also disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education had harmonised different assessment models into a single standardised National Learning Assessment framework to ensure consistency and facilitate comparison of learning outcomes over time.

“We have customized different learning assessments into one standardized 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.

During the monitoring visit, Alausa inspected both public and private schools in Kuje Area Council and commended the quality of infrastructure and learning environment in public schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He commended the cleanliness of the schools, the condition of the facilities and the general well-being of the students, describing them as indicators of effective school management.

“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 regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with minimum standards.

According to him, private schools have contributed significantly to reducing the number of out-of-school children, but greater efforts are needed to ensure they provide safe and conducive learning environments.

“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, Danlami Hayyo, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, commended the Federal Ministry of Education for introducing the nationwide assessment, describing it as a major step towards improving learning outcomes and strengthening evidence-based decision-making in the education sector.

Hayyo said the FCT Administration remained committed to supporting the initiative, noting that more than 120 public schools had been renovated under the administration to improve the quality of education.

“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.