By Sharon Emephia
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and quality education through the ongoing monitoring of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across schools in the Territory.
As part of efforts to ensure strict compliance with examination standards and guarantee equal opportunities for all learners, the Education Resource Centre (ERC), under the FCT Education Secretariat, intensified its monitoring of the ongoing BECE in schools across Kuje Area Council.
The monitoring team was led by the Director, Education Resource Centre, Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, alongside the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Hajiya Titilayo Hajara Alayande.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Abdulrahim stated that the monitoring was aimed at ensuring strict adherence to examination guidelines, safeguarding the integrity of the assessment process, and creating a conducive environment for all candidates to perform to the best of their abilities.
She described the BECE as a critical component of Nigeria’s basic education framework, serving as a key transition point for students progressing from Junior Secondary School to Senior Secondary School.
The Director emphasized that the FCT Administration remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusive education by providing the necessary facilities, learning tools, and support systems required to ensure that every child, regardless of ability or circumstance, has access to quality education and equal opportunities to succeed.
According to her, the Administration has continued to invest significantly in special needs education through the provision of instructional materials, assistive devices, and specialized support services, including sign language interpreters and supervisors, to facilitate the full participation of learners with disabilities in both teaching, learning, and assessment processes.
Dr. Abdulrahim noted that these interventions align with the vision of the FCT Administration to build an education system where no child is left behind and where every learner is empowered to attain his or her full potential.
Assessing the conduct of the examination across the centres visited, she expressed satisfaction with the high level of compliance observed, noting the timely commencement of examination papers, effective supervision, and the availability of conducive environments for candidates.
She commended school administrators, supervisors, and invigilators for their professionalism and dedication to ensuring the smooth and orderly conduct of the examination. She particularly praised examination officials at centres accommodating candidates with special needs for putting in place adequate support mechanisms to facilitate their participation.
The Director further reiterated the Administration’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice and urged candidates to uphold the values of honesty, discipline, and integrity throughout the examination period.
In her remarks, the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Hajiya Titilayo Hajara Alayande, expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made to ensure the successful participation of all learners in the examination process.
She affirmed that the FCT Education Secretariat remains committed to strengthening educational development, promoting inclusivity, and providing every learner with the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.
Hajiya Alayande also commended examination regulators and officials for preserving the credibility of the BECE through effective monitoring and strict adherence to established standards. She advised candidates to remain focused, confident, and diligent as they conclude their examinations.
Also speaking, the Director/Principal of Junior Secondary School, Pasali, Dr. Richard Ogbonna, disclosed that students of the school had been adequately prepared for the BECE through intensive revision exercises and expressed confidence in their performance.
Some of the candidates with special needs, speaking through an interpreter, expressed appreciation to the FCT Administration and examination authorities for providing an enabling environment that allowed them to participate fully in the examination. They described the exercise as smooth and well-organized and expressed excitement at being included in the ongoing BECE.
The monitoring exercise, which commenced in Kuje Area Council, will continue across other Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen examination administration, enhance quality assurance, and improve educational service delivery throughout the Territory.