Edo Shines at National Review and Validation of Education Quality Assurance Handbook

By De-Patriot

The Edo State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to raising the standards of learning and accountability in schools as it joined other states and federal agencies in reviewing the National Education Quality Assurance Handbook.

The Federal Ministry of Education, through its Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS), in collaboration with the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), convened a three-day Technical Workshop and Validation Meeting on the revised handbook from September 30 to October 2, 2025, in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The workshop was designed to fine-tune policies and practices that will strengthen accountability and improve learning outcomes across the country.

Participants at the workshop, drawn from all states of the federation, federal parastatals, and technical partners, engaged in a rigorous clause-by-clause review of the existing handbook. The aim was to align it with new realities, address identified gaps, and incorporate best practices in school monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.

Among the notable stakeholders present were the Director of FEQAS, Mr. Adegboye Adekunle Adebola; Ms. Penny Holden, Technical Partner to PLANE; Mrs. Ada Ogwuche, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at UBEC; Mrs. Rabia Umar, Director of Quality Assurance at the National Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC); and Prof. Usman Abubakar Zaria, Director General of the Kaduna State School Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA). Directors of Quality Assurance from several state agencies, including Ekiti and Edo, also participated actively in the deliberations.

Edo State was represented by the Directorate of Education Quality and Accountability (DEQA), led by its Director General, Dr. Amen Ogbemudia. She reaffirmed Edo State’s commitment to aligning with federal standards while tailoring strategies to meet local needs. She highlighted the state’s achievements in strengthening accountability, transparency, and service delivery in the education sector, including the training of Education Quality Assurance (EQA) staff to enhance their professional competence.

Dr. Ogbemudia also emphasized the need for adequate support systems to ensure effective inclusive education. She noted that placing persons living with disabilities in the same classrooms with other students without sign language interpreters, support staff, and adapted teaching methods often leads to divided attention and compromises quality teaching.

The DEQA Director General commended the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education reforms. She noted that DEQA’s progress would not have been possible without the Governor’s strong policy direction, commitment to accountability, and strategic investment in the education sector.

Dr. Ogbemudia also called for prioritizing school safety as a central pillar of quality assurance in Nigeria. She emphasized that quality education cannot thrive in environments where children and staff feel unsafe, highlighting the need for safe infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and child protection policies.

The revised National Education Quality Assurance Handbook is expected to serve as a practical reference tool for policymakers, inspectors, teachers, and school administrators nationwide. By contributing meaningfully to the national process, Edo DEQA has positioned itself not just as a beneficiary but also as a driver of quality assurance reforms in Nigeria even as the nation awaits the official adoption of the revised handbook.