FCTA builds capacity of accreditation officers for 18th schools accreditation exercise

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

To ensure the credibility, transparency, and adherence to the  standards of schools, the FCT Education Secretariat through its Department of Quality Assurance has organised orientation/capacity building training for a select accreditation officers, who are to conduct the 18th batch of  accreditation exercise for both  public and private schools across the territory.

To this end, the FCTA engaged the services of retired and seasoned evaluators to build the capacity of the Quality Assurance officers, who shared their expertise and wealth of knowledge with the accreditation officers, to ensure that thes are well- equipped to undertake this critical assignment.

Flagging off the 18th batch accreditation exercise, yesterday, in Abuja, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Secretary For Education, FCT,, congratulated those selected for this assignment geared towards recognizing institutions and programs that meet established standards through accreditation processes, as their role is very crucial in ensuring the quality and standards of education in FCT schools both public and private.

Hayyo, who was represented by Director, FCT Department of Mass Education, Dr. Favour Edem-Nse, noted that accreditation of schools is no doubt a critical function vested in the Education Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, as stipulated in Order No. 1 of 2004 (Establishment of Functionaries Territory Dissolution), which is duly carried out by the Department of Quality Assurance.

According to him, the accreditation process commences with the receipt of applications and payments from schools scheduled for the exercise leading to the selection of experienced and reputable evaluators to undertake the critical task.

“Your expertise thus ensures the credibility, transparency, and rigor of the exercise, guaranteeing adherence to the prescribed minimum standards.

“It is worthy of note that the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Honourable Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike is very committed to educational advancement and infrastructural development, which you all can see the physical improvement of many public schools to ensure standardization in the FCT.

“I therefore charge you to justify the confidence reposed in you by demonstrating professionalism, diligence, and impartiality throughout the exercise towards the actualization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Tinubu.

“ To this end, I encourage you to be attentive and participate actively in this orientation program, which will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in your role as accreditation officers.

“I wish to commend the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools and other Stakeholders in educational development for their complementary role in educational advancement in the FCT, you are most critical stakeholders in creating suitable learning platform in the FCT to guarantee the future of our children bearing in mind that Government alone cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Education for all.

“Similarly, the effort of the Department of Quality Assurance is highly commendable considering its determination to fish out low standard private schools in the FCT for immediate closure.

“The Education Secretariat is determined to ensure the effective functionality of all its Departments with the great support of the Minister”, the secretary stated.

Earlier, in an address delivered by Mrs. Hajarat Titilayo Alayande, Director, Department of Quality Assurance, explained that to  qualify for full accreditation, each school must achieve a minimum score of 67% in each thematic area and an overall score of 67% or higher across all four areas.

She added that schools that fail to meet the 67% threshold in one thematic area or are operating from a residential or temporary site will be recommended for provisional accreditation.

According to her, conversely, schools that score below 67% in two or more thematic areas will be denied accreditation.

She therefore charged the accreditation officers to uphold the highest standards of diligence, proactivity, and professionalism throughout this exercise.

Your thoroughness and meticulousness in the field will be crucial in ensuring the integrity and validity of the accreditation process. Furthermore, timely and accurate report submission is essential, and I entrust you to prioritize this aspect of your responsibilities”, she stressed.