Jigawa State is taking bold steps to uplift its education sector, as 9,600 teachers under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have registered for a special competency test. The initiative aims to identify specific training needs and enhance teaching skills across the state.
Professor Haruna Musa, SUBEB Executive Chairman, disclosed that 12,000 teachers were expected to register, but the exercise still saw a robust turnout. Speaking to journalists, he emphasized that while the government has invested heavily in educational infrastructure, improving student learning requires equally strong investment in teacher capacity.
“Over 70% of the teachers who registered have never undergone capacity-building training since their employment, some with over 15 years of service,” he revealed.
Following the exam, teachers will be grouped according to their skill levels: Group A includes those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B consists of teachers who are knowledgeable but lack teaching skills; and Group C comprises those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills. Specialized training will be tailored to each group, with Group C undergoing intensive instruction and follow-up evaluations. Teachers needing extra support will be mentored by experienced colleagues within their schools.
Professor Haruna reassured that the project is not about retrenchment but about equipping teachers to improve learning outcomes in the state’s basic education sector.
The initiative aligns with Jigawa’s broader “12-Point Agenda” for education, which focuses on teacher development, upgrading infrastructure, curriculum enhancement, student-centered learning, monitoring and evaluation, leadership training for administrators, community engagement, scholarships and incentives, inclusive education, technology integration, policy reform, and sustainable strategies for continuous improvement.
