A three-day workshop themed “Empowering SSOs to Champion and Support Technology Integration” brought together School Support Officers (SSOs) from across Nigeria to strengthen their role in improving basic education. Organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja, the training aimed to improve mentorship skills, foster better communication between SSOs and school personnel, and enhance participants’ understanding of educational technology. Addressing attendees, UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, urged stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to the Universal Basic Education programme, stressing the need for SSOs to play an active role in supporting teachers and ensuring effective school monitoring to improve learning outcomes for Nigerian children.
Moreover, the National Coordinator of UBEC’s Digital Resource Centre, Professor Bashir Galadanci, emphasised the vital role SSOs play in strengthening the education sector through mentorship and effective monitoring of administrators and teachers in schools. He noted that the training was particularly significant as it focused on those responsible for ensuring quality assurance in schools at the grassroot level. This initiative aligns with the commission’s broader mission of enhancing basic education through Innovation and collaboration. As the first training under Garba’s leadership, the programme reflects UBEC’s commitment to equipping educators with the necessary skills to drive meaningful reform.
Insufficient infrastructure hinders innovative teaching methods.
One of the major challenges in the education sector is the gap between policy formulation and execution. Government initiatives often promise improvements but fail due to inadequate funding, weak monitoring mechanisms, and corruption. While SSOs play a critical role in ensuring compliance with educational standards, their effectiveness is limited if schools lack basic facilities. Many public schools operate with insufficient infrastructure, making it difficult to implement innovative teaching methods, including the digital integration promoted in the UBEC workshop. Without sustained Investment in school facilities and Teacher training, even the most well-intentioned policies may struggle to yield meaningful results.
Furthermore, the push for Technology Integration in education is another area that requires careful consideration. Although the workshop focused on equipping SSOs with digital skills, the reality remains that many public schools lack access to the necessary technological infrastructure. In rural areas, unreliable Electricity and poor internet connectivity make it nearly impossible to implement Digital Learning solutions. While urban schools may benefit from advancements in educational technology, the lack of uniform access threatens to deepen existing disparities. A more inclusive approach is needed to ensure that all students, regardless of location, can benefit from digital education.
Operational challenges weaken school oversight and mentorship.
Additionally, SSOs often face logistical difficulties that limit their ability to perform their duties effectively. Many are responsible for overseeing multiple schools spread across large geographic areas, yet they lack adequate transport and support to carry out regular supervision. Limited funding also restricts their ability to provide meaningful mentorship to teachers, reducing the overall impact of their role. Strengthening the basic education sector requires addressing these operational challenges by providing better resources, clearer guidelines, and institutional backing to enable SSOs to function optimally.
Beyond the challenges facing SSOs, broader systemic reforms are needed to transform Nigeria’s basic education sector. Teacher recruitment and training must be prioritised to ensure that educators are well-equipped to handle modern teaching methods. Also, policies should focus on reducing Overcrowding in classrooms, improving student-teacher ratios, and ensuring that every school has access to basic amenities. While training initiatives are a step in the right direction, they must be complemented by long-term investments that address fundamental weaknesses in the education system.
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Ultimately, Nigeria’s education sector requires a more holistic and sustained approach to its reform. The role of SSOs is crucial, but their effectiveness is tied to the broader policy environment in which they operate. Ensuring quality education for all Nigerian children demands a combination of improved teacher development, enhanced school infrastructure, and the provision of adequate learning materials. Without these foundational changes, efforts to strengthen the basic education system will continue to face significant obstacles.