The Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Iyela Ajayi, has announced the commission’s ambitious plans to collaborate with other agencies, including the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in a concerted effort to establish minimum standards for teachers of English language and mathematics in secondary schools across Nigeria.
In a statement released today by Fatima Bokpare, the head of public relations at NSSEC, Ajayi revealed that this initiative aims to elevate the quality of education in the country significantly.
Ajayi made these remarks during a courtesy call on Paulinus Okwelle, the executive secretary of NCCE, in Abuja.
He elaborated on the commission’s commitment to improving the standards of education, stating, “When that is approved and implemented, it will set a benchmark for all aspects of senior secondary education in the country.”
To ensure that this endeavor reaches fruition, NSSEC officials have conducted extensive visits across the nation’s six geo-political zones, seeking collaboration with stakeholders and scrutinising the zero draft minimum standard.
Furthermore, Ajayi disclosed that NSSEC has commenced work on creating a comprehensive senior secondary school database and the production of the zero draft national policies.
These initiatives are designed to reinforce Senior Secondary Education and align it with international and societal requirements.
The NSSEC is also actively engaged in the reskilling and retooling of teachers specialising in English language and mathematics, with the objective of ensuring they meet the commission’s minimum standards in these subjects.
In a reciprocal gesture, Iyela Ajayi called upon the National Commission for Colleges of Education to extend its support in the capacity development of teachers.
In response, Paulinus Okwelle praised Ajayi’s background as a former provost of a college of education, stating that it strategically positions him for success in his assignment.
He emphasised the symbiotic relationship between NSSEC and NCCE, highlighting how NSSEC produces students while NCCE trains and prepares them to become teachers.
Okwelle also urged NSSEC to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in reviewing and restructuring the senior secondary education curriculum, believing that a well-structured curriculum will be pivotal in repositioning senior secondary education in Nigeria.
As the NSSEC and NCCE join forces in their quest to set higher standards for English and mathematics teachers and revamp the educational landscape, it is expected that this collaboration will contribute significantly to the improvement of secondary education across the nation.
