ENS TENS Scheme; Information Useful for Adequate and Effective Transforming Education in Niger State Transforming Education in Niger State 8

teacher salaries, lack of job satisfaction, career • Inadequate teaching and learning materials and progression, industrial strikes and/or union action equipment such as teaching aids, workbooks, resulting in low-level passion to impart knowledge science equipment for experiments; and even lower level commitment to pupils; • Insufficient and inaccurate educational resource 7. The lack of a uniform and consistent education planning; system amid various attempts by the Nigerian • Limited and often mismanaged government Government to address the situation with the funds; implementation of the Universal Basic Education • Inaccurate and up to date statistical data and TENS TENS scheme; information useful for adequate and effective Transforming Education in Niger State Transforming Education in Niger State 8. Gender disparity/inequality in education planning in the State; opportunities especially for girls and pupils with • Limited resources leading to a disconnect physical and learning disabilities. between the subjects taught in schools and the needs of the Nigerian labour market in the 21st century to reduce poverty; In addition to the challenges highlighted above, • Insufficiently qualified teachers to teach, Niger State is also faced with the following particularly core subjects such as English, problems: Mathematics and the Sciences; • The use of redundant teaching methods in most Transforming Education in Niger State (TENS) Programme • Increasing but still low enrolment of children in schools; primary and secondary schools in comparison to • Low morale amongst teachers and other support Federal Republic of Nigeria many of the states in the East, South and South staff due to poor remuneration, resulting in the Western parts of Nigeria; need to supplement income thereby impacting A Brief Overview • High dropout rate especially girls in Senior staff commitment to teaching; Secondary School 2; • Extremely poor boarding facilities, sanitation • Insufficient educational provision for gifted provision and other hygiene facilities such as children and children with Special Educational toilets, pipe borne water and the removal of waste Needs or Disability (SEND); from school environments; • Dilapidated school buildings and infrastructure • The impact of the state of the nation’s economy with inadequate facilities such as classrooms, leading to intermittent industrial action; science laboratories and libraries; • Examination misconduct. • Inadequate security, such as boundary walls and fences;

Further information

For further information on the TENS Programme please visit www.tens-niger.com. Additional information can be obtained by sending an email to [email protected].

Telephone: +234 (0)815 061 2406 +234 (0)815 061 2582 +44 (0)1954 715 715 His Excellency, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello The Executive Governor of Niger State Produced for the Niger State Government Ministry of Education Science and Technology by:

This leaflet articulates the vision, mission, specific The Programme known as Transforming Education aim, goals and objectives to be achieved by the Niger in Niger State (TENS) is led by the Niger State State government in transforming the education Government, Ministry of Education, Science and sector under the ‘Mission of Restoration’ mandate of Technology of the Federal Republic of Nigeria TENS Programme His Excellency, Abubakar Sani Bello – The Executive supported by MRL Public Sector Consultants Ltd, MRL Public Sector Consultants Ltd Governor of Niger State. Cambridge University – Judge Business School Pepple House, 8 Broad Street @tensprogramme Executive Education (JBSEEL) and the Faculty Great Cambourne It also highlights the challenges and proposed actions of Education and the Institute for Leadership and Cambridge CB23 6HJ @tensprogramme England required to address the problems in the educational Management (ILM). www.mrl-uk.com www.tens-niger.com NIGER STATE sector to achieve the identified vision. Transforming Education in Niger State (TENS) Programme A Brief Overview

Niger State is located in the North-Central Geo- The TENS Strategy also presents the arrangements 6. To update and review teaching methodologies 10. To strengthen the provision of quality education political zone ofof thethe FederalFederal RepublicRepublic of of Nigeria. Nigeria. It isIt for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of to ensure best practice and applicability with the through the provision and refurbishment of theis the second second largest largest state state in in terms terms ofof landmasslandmass and the various initiatives towards achieving the vision. National Curriculum for enhanced performance in adequate infrastructure, facilities and the provision is popularly known as the ‘Power State’ due to the national examinations across the State; of learning equipment such as functioning libraries location of a numbernumber ofof thethe nation’snation’s damsdams inin thethe State,state, The Scope of the strategy is government-owned 7. To identify and implement the required operational and science laboratories; more specifically Kainji Dam. primary and secondary schools. The scope has been and process transformations within the Ministry 11. To ensure and implement adequate financial demarcated as these levels are seen to be the priority of Education, Science and Technology in planning and budgetary management; The State is divided into three main senatorial districts of the State’s education system under the statutory order to effect the desired changes to make 12. To ensure adequate funding for education which are furtherfurther divideddivided intointo twentytwenty-five five Local mandate of the Niger State Ministry of Education, the organisation more efficient and effective in planning and delivery of the schools curriculum; Government Areas (LGA) and 274 wards. Science and Technology working in conjunction undertaking its statutory responsibilities. 13. To make funds available that will guarantee the with Niger State Universal Basic Education (UBE), payment of teacher salaries and associated The TENS Programme will be delivered over a three Secondary Education Board (SEB), State Agency remuneration benefits, training and Continuous year period up until March 2019 in three distinct for Mass Education, Science and Technical Schools The specific strategic Objectives of the TENS Professional Development (CPD), the provision of phases acrossacross the the State. State. TENS TENS commenced commenced in March in Boards, the State Quality Assurance and Standards Programme are as follows: teaching aids and materials such as text books, 2016March with 2016 the with first the Phase first PhaseDefine Defineand Initiate and Initiate which Agency for Schools and other stakeholders within the workbooks, laboratory equipment and school concludedwhich concluded in September in September 2016. 2016. primary and secondary schools remit. 1. To use proven methodologies (examples include feeding programmes; PESTLE, SWOT, Gap Analysis, Interviews and 14. To build the capacity of education providers; The TENS Programme is currently funded by the The new Strategic Vision is to improve government- Focus Groups with key stakeholders) to conduct 15. To create opportunities for the local community Niger State Government with plans underway to owned primary and secondary schools resulting in a an in-depth analysis in order to identify the to get involved in contracts such as building, attract additional funding from international agencies, transformed education system that benefits all Niger problems in the education system at the primary renovations and growing food for the school such as the UK Department for International State citizens. and secondary levels within the State; feeding programme. Development (DFID), the World Bank, USAID, and 2. To conduct a Baseline Educational Statistics Canada Aid to mention a few. Funding will also be The Mission is to create an exciting, secure and (BES) and Infrastructure Survey by July 2016 to sought from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) stimulating learning environment in which all age- establish the current state of educational provision The Challenges in the Education Sector are as in the education sector, corporate establishments, appropriate Niger State citizens and members of the at the primary and secondary levels in the State; follows: businesses and other potential revenue streams. school community can grow in confidence, acquire 3. To provide an improved education system that This funding approach is being adopted due to the knowledge and skills and develop to their full potential. will guarantee pupils are empowered through Based on research and analysis conducted to immense capital investment required, especially the provision of high level teaching and learning better understand the current state of education in in terms of infrastructure, more specifically, the The Aim of the TENS Programme is to improve the in order to address the needs of the State Nigeria, which include a review of available literature renovation and rebuilding of schools, the provision of education system in all government-owned primary educational system based on the findings from on education at the primary and secondary levels, facilities, such as science laboratories, libraries and and secondary schools across the State. the survey, research and interviews with key a scan of existing global initiatives, qualitative and the implementation of appropriate security measures stakeholders; quantitative data from interviews with private and to protect the learning environment. 4. To provide a challenging and stimulating pupil public sector stakeholders, visits to schools, a core The Goals of the TENS Programme are as experience within the school environment; set of issues affecting the broader education sector is The recommended solutions for addressing the follows: 5. To review and recommend changes to the noted, and include: challenges in the education sector in Niger State are curriculum that will address current challenges identified in the comprehensive TENS Educational 1. To identify the current problems and challenges in youth unemployment, such as enterprise and 1. A disconnect between the subjects taught and Transformation Strategy 2016 – 2025. within the educational sector at primary and entrepreneurial education, skill acquisition and the labour market needs; secondary levels in Niger State; specialisation more specifically in the fields of 2. Underdeveloped schools curriculum; 2. To develop and implement interventions and engineering, science, technology and agriculture; 3. Insufficient and often inaccurate education programme initiatives to address the problems 6. To ensure that all pupils in the State have access planning, which leads to poor selection and and challenges within the sector; to quality educational provisions to allow them organisation of curriculum content, curriculum 3. To transform all Niger State primary and to reach their potential irrespective of gender, implementation and evaluation, management secondary schools in a sustainable way by ethnic group, background, previous educational and control of teacher education programs, improving the educational standards, refining attainment and disability; teacher training and retraining, the development, learning outcomes and enhancing the standard 7. To provide a healthy, safe and supportive distribution and use of teaching materials, and of the learning environment; classroom and school environment; particularly the relevance of the taught curriculum 4. To provide an education and pupil experience 8. To retain and recruit additional qualified teachers to the needs of the larger community; that will empower pupils through the provision of by 2018, especially specialist teachers, to teach 4. Limited qualified teachers, largely due to adequate teaching and learning; in the sciences, technical subjects, Maths and mismanagement and misalignment of funds for 5. To build a curriculum that will be constantly English; teacher training courses; reviewed and updated to address current 9. To ensure continuing teacher certification and 5. Limited/inadequate funding for education challenges in the labour market such as capacity building through the attendance of a planning and delivery; entrepreneurial skills development and technical compulsory 4-day teacher training programme 6. De-motivated teaching Staff, compounded skills acquisitions; commencing 2016; by low and sometimes irregular payment of teacher salaries, lack of job satisfaction, career • Inadequate teaching and learning materials and progression, industrial strikes and/or union action equipment such as teaching aids, workbooks, resulting in low-level passion to impart knowledge science equipment for experiments; and even lower level commitment to pupils; • Insufficient and inaccurate educational resource 7. The lack of a uniform and consistent education planning; system amid various attempts by the Nigerian • Limited and often mismanaged government Government to address the situation with the funds; implementation of the Universal Basic Education • Inaccurate and up to date statistical data and TENS TENS scheme; information useful for adequate and effective Transforming Education in Niger State Transforming Education in Niger State 8. Gender disparity/inequality in education planning in the State; opportunities especially for girls and pupils with • Limited resources leading to a disconnect physical and learning disabilities. between the subjects taught in schools and the needs of the Nigerian labour market in the 21st century to reduce poverty; In addition to the challenges highlighted above, • Insufficiently qualified teachers to teach, Niger State is also faced with the following particularly core subjects such as English, problems: Mathematics and the Sciences; • The use of redundant teaching methods in most Transforming Education in Niger State (TENS) Programme • Increasing but still low enrolment of children in schools; primary and secondary schools in comparison to • Low morale amongst teachers and other support Federal Republic of Nigeria many of the states in the East, South and South staff due to poor remuneration, resulting in the Western parts of Nigeria; need to supplement income thereby impacting A Brief Overview • High dropout rate especially girls in Senior staff commitment to teaching; Secondary School 2; • Extremely poor boarding facilities, sanitation • Insufficient educational provision for gifted provision and other hygiene facilities such as children and children with Special Educational toilets, pipe borne water and the removal of waste Needs or Disability (SEND); from school environments; • Dilapidated school buildings and infrastructure • The impact of the state of the nation’s economy with inadequate facilities such as classrooms, leading to intermittent industrial action; science laboratories and libraries; • Examination misconduct. • Inadequate security, such as boundary walls and fences;

Further information

For further information on the TENS Programme please visit www.tens-niger.com. Additional information can be obtained by sending an email to [email protected].