The Federal Government has commenced a major education intervention targeting 39 million Nigerian children, with a focus on improving literacy, numeracy and overall learning outcomes at the basic education level.
The programme, being implemented by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in partnership with the World Bank, also includes capacity-building for teachers and education officials across the country.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, disclosed this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the opening of a four-day regional thematic workshop on the Structured Pedagogy Package (SPP) for states in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
Garba, who was represented by UBEC Director for the South-South, Dr Akpan Ossom Udo, said the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen the foundation of basic education and improve classroom outcomes.
Focus on Literacy and Numeracy
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Foundations: Implementing the Structured Pedagogy Package,” is designed to equip education agencies with practical tools, teaching strategies and accountability mechanisms to improve learning.
According to Garba, the first component of the SPP will focus on improving teaching and learning materials, teacher training and learning assessment, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
She described the approach as evidence-based and designed to produce measurable improvements in children’s ability to read, write and count.
“Result Area 1 challenges us to ensure that every Nigerian child can read, write and count with confidence,” Garba said.
She added that the Structured Pedagogy Package would serve as an important tool for transforming teaching practices and improving learning outcomes nationwide.
Book Supply Chain to Get Track-and-Trace System
Another major component of the intervention is the improvement of the book supply chain.
UBEC said a track-and-trace system would be introduced to help ensure that instructional materials reach the schools and pupils for whom they are intended.
The system is also expected to strengthen transparency and accountability in the distribution of educational materials.
“The second workshop on the Book Supply Chain and Track-and-Trace System will ensure that quality materials reach the right schools and students, with transparency and accountability at every stage,” Garba said.
Teachers to Receive Additional Training
UBEC Programme Manager, Dr Aisha Abdul, said the commission had been working with the World Bank, education experts, consultants and state governments since February to prepare for the implementation of the reforms.
She said the programme would combine improvements in learning materials with teacher training to ensure that children benefit from better classroom instruction.
“Our target is to make sure that 39 million children are exposed to quality learning while teachers will be trained to achieve this objective,” Abdul said.
Garba said the Federal Government would continue to intensify teacher training as part of efforts to address persistent learning challenges in Nigeria’s basic education system.
She expressed optimism that the reforms would strengthen the foundation of education and create lasting improvements in classrooms across the country.
