From Onoriode Etatsemi, Asaba
The Delta State Government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE), has flagged off the 2026 National Learning Assessment (Field Work) Programme in twelve selected local government areas of the state.
The National Learning Assessment, which commenced on Monday (June 29), will end on Friday (July 3).
Daily NewsCraft reports that the programme is designed to assess the literacy and numeracy competencies of pupils and students, monitor the quality of education, and generate data that will guide evidence-based planning and interventions aimed at improving learning outcomes.
Speaking during the briefing of monitors, technical officers and learning assessors, held at the SUBEB Headquarters in Asaba on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Primary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, who was represented by Mr Otuisi Ohwofasa of the State Ministry of Education (SMoE), urged the assessors to carry out their assignment with integrity and professionalism.
Participants, who listened attentively, made contributions during the briefing for monitors, assessors, and technical officers ahead of the 2026 National Learning Assessment in Delta State.
Ohwofasa, who also served as a facilitator during the briefing, conveyed the Commissioner’s charge, urging participants not to compromise the exercise in any way and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism throughout the assessment process.
Also speaking, the UBEC representative, Mrs Eucharia Morah, disclosed that the National Learning Assessment would be conducted in Aniocha South, Isoko North, Ika South, Okpe, Sapele, Ndokwa West, Ethiope East, Isoko South, Ughelli North, Ukwuani, Uvwie and Warri South local government areas.
She explained that twelve schools were randomly selected from each local government area, comprising four primary schools, four junior secondary schools (JSS), and four senior secondary schools (SSS).
She urged the assessors to pay close attention to the technical aspects of the exercise to ensure the credibility and reliability of the assessment results, noting that the data generated would serve as a vital tool for educational planning and the implementation of interventions to improve learning outcomes across the state.
In her goodwill message, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Maureen Ugwu, also commended the Delta State Government for its efforts in strengthening teachers monitoring through the recently introduced biometric verification exercise.
She noted that the biometric system has made it easier to monitor teachers’ attendance, punctuality and effectiveness in schools in real time.
According to her, she was reliably informed that relevant education authorities and key stakeholders within the Education Sector could also access attendance records and communicate directly with teachers to ascertain their presence at their duty posts or the reasons for any absence.
Ugwu urged the Board, monitors, technical officers and learning assessors to remain committed to the objectives of the National Learning Assessment in order to enhance the quality of education for the benefit of pupils and students across primary and secondary schools in the State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Delta SUBEB, Hon Samuel Mariere, expressed appreciation to the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for his unwavering commitment to improving the quality of education in the State.
Mariere noted that the Governor’s commitment has fostered stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the education sector, with the Board working closely with relevant agencies and ministries to achieve improved learning outcomes at both the basic and secondary education levels.
He added that the state government has made significant investments in the provision of school infrastructure, as well as teaching and learning materials across schools in the state.
”The programme is designed to assess the ability of our pupils and students in numeracy and literacy. This will help in planning and implementing future interventions aimed at improving learning outcomes across our schools.
”The Board has also conducted its own assessments in schools and discovered that literacy and numeracy levels were below expectation. This has made it necessary for us to go back to the drawing board to identify the gaps and determine what we are getting wrong. That is why this National Learning Assessment is very important,” he said.
The briefing of monitors, technical officers and learning assessors also featured practical orientation sessions and hands-on demonstrations on assessment procedures, data collection processes and the effective use of assessment tools to ensure a smooth, credible and successful field exercise.
Other officials present at the event include: the 3rd Member of the Board, Mrs Josephine Edjeren; the Acting Secretary to the Board, Mrs Eru Ezefili; the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, SUBEB, Mrs Demes Omoniye; Mr Olabode Ogunjobi (UBEC), as well as other representatives of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE), and the State Ministry of Education (SMoE).
