By Cynthia Talatu Batuta
The FCT Education Secretariat, through its Department of Quality Assurance, has accredited 37 schools following a comprehensive accreditation exercise conducted across public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory in 2025/26 academic session
Acknowledging the efforts of the Department, the Secretary for Education,
Dr. Danlami Hayyo, while presenting Certificates of Accreditation to the accredited schools, commended the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Hajia Hajarat Titilayo Alayande, and her team of professional education quality assurance personnel for their diligence, commitment and professionalism in ensuring that schools meet the required standards.
Dr. Hayyo urged the accredited schools to sustain the standards that earned them the accreditation and remain committed to continuous improvement in the delivery of quality education across the FCT.
In her welcome address, the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Hajia Hajarat Titilayo Alayande, said the presentation of certificates followed the 18th accreditation exercise conducted by the Department from February 26 to March 4, 2025, involving 47 schools at the Basic and Senior levels.
According to her, the accreditation team assessed the participating schools across four major thematic areas: Physical Facilities and Environment; Staffing; Curriculum and Academic Activities; and Support Services and Welfare.
Hajia Alayande explained that schools were required to attain a minimum score of 67 per cent in each of the four thematic areas to qualify for full accreditation.
She disclosed that 37 schools out of 47 met the required standards and were granted full accreditation, while seven schools that fell short in one thematic area were granted provisional accreditation and Three schools did not qualify so they were denied accreditation.
The Director further explained that the schools granted provisional accreditation have been given a six-month window to address the identified deficiencies and reapply for full accreditation.
She added that three schools failed in two or more of the assessed thematic areas and were consequently denied accreditation, stressing that the affected schools would be allowed to reapply after addressing the deficiencies identified during the exercise.
The Director reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to strengthening quality assurance, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring compliance with established educational standards across schools in the FCT.
She stressed that, as a regulatory and quality assurance body, the Department’s ultimate responsibility is to protect the interest and welfare of learners and ensure that every child in the FCT has access to quality education in a safe, secure and conducive learning environment.
Hajia Alayande urged proprietors and school administrators whose institutions received provisional accreditation or were denied accreditation to take decisive steps to address the identified gaps, noting that compliance with prescribed standards remains essential to delivering quality education.
She congratulated the 37 fully accredited schools, urging them not to rest on their achievements but to sustain the standards attained, identify areas for further improvement and continue to strive for excellence.
Speaking on behalf of the accredited schools, the Vice Principal, Administration, Redeemers Private School,Lugbe, Kelechi Musango Mukwelle.
appreciated the Education Secretariat for providing the opportunity for schools across the FCT to participate in the accreditation exercise.
She noted that the exercise would encourage schools to intensify their efforts towards maintaining prescribed standards and providing conducive learning environments, with greater emphasis on academic excellence.
She assured the
Education Secretariat of the schools’ continued commitment to working in line with laid-down regulations and standards to promote effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of education.
Giving the vote of thanks, the Head of Accreditation, Hajia Rukayatu Husain, appreciated the FCT Education Secretariat for its support to the Department and the participating schools throughout the accreditation process.
She urged the accredited schools not to relent in their efforts to maintain the standards attained, stressing that accreditation should serve as a motivation for schools to continually improve their facilities, teaching and learning processes and overall educational standards.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of Certificates of Accreditation to the successful schools, marking another milestone in the FCT Education Secretariat’s efforts to promote quality education, effective regulation, improved learning environments and better educational outcomes for children across the Federal Capital Territory.