5 minute read
Introduction
Pillar 1
Pillar 1 is aimed at strengthening the governance structures, financial management systems and workforce capacity of Edo SUBEB.
Objectives:
● Establish sustainable, functional evidence-based quality planning, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation systems to facilitate inclusive quality basic education provision in Edo State.
● Establish result-focused, transparent and accountable financial management and procurement processes and practices for efficient and effective utilization of basic education resources.
● Develop governance, management and operational capacities and efficiency of Edo State Universal
Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the 18 Local Government Education
Authorities (LGEAs) for improved basic education service delivery.
● Establish an accountable and service-oriented culture and work ethics in Edo State SUBEB and the 18 LGEAs.
Results: Digitization of Records
Online Profile: An online profile has been created for every teacher, headteacher and pupil in the EdoBEST program. Core details include;
● school information
● staff details
● staff metrics, such as attendance and lesson delivery
● pupil details
● pupil metrics, such as attendance and assessment records
● device monitoring and health
● pupil pictures
With this online profile, the number of teachers and pupils in every school at any given time can be used for adequate planning, budgeting and monitoring activities like textbooks distribution, exam materials distribution, attendance monitoring, and more.
A Strengthened SUBEB and LGEA Workforce
There has been organizational planning and repositioning of the entire SUBEB structure to clarify mandates of the respective departments, to enable delegation of duties, service provision responsibilities and accountabilities. This has been paired with general and functional training that has significantly improved education management. Recently the results in this area have been compounded by the appointment of a new cohort of Education Secretaries who took part in a rigorous selection process that included an interview with a senior selection committee.
Structured School Monitoring and Support
A vibrant team of field teams visit schools daily to provide on the job training, quality assurance and community engagement. This team of approximately 300 field officers is growing and they all must pass through All of these field officers passed through a competency based selection process with a 75% passmark or above.
An Enabling Working Environment
The SUBEB office has been fully renovated. Key features of the renovation include:
● New Furniture and Supplies (Desks, Chairs, air conditioners, a functioning lift and more)
● Investments in Technology (computers which have all been connected to the 5G Edo State wifi network, wide-screen televisions have been mounted in conference rooms, intercom systems have been installed in all offices and more)
● Constant Power - the office has been connected to the Ossiomo
Power Plant
● Recreation Facilities
Pillar 2
Teachers Professional Development and Quality Assurance
Pillar 2 is aimed at ensuring that teacher and head teacher capacity is both strengthened and supported to deliver the best. Teachers in Edo State come in with experience in both teaching and managing classrooms. EdoSTAR builds upon this experience and deepens both ownership and leadership in their classrooms as well as empowering Head Teachers to be the CEOs of their schools. Pillar 2 also promotes the establishment and operation of a strong quality assurance system to maintain standards across all schools.
Objectives:
1. Develop a cost-effective professional development, management and support system to ensure teacher and headteacher adequacy, competence and effectiveness for inclusive basic education provision in Edo State.
2. Ensure availability and adequacy of necessary and appropriate resource materials to facilitate quality teaching and learning in all basic schools.
3. Conduct an enumeration census of the number and status of public school teachers and create a model to recruit young and vibrant teachers to replace retired teachers.
4. Establish a QA system to drive the achievement and sustenance of quality standards in all State basic schools.
Results:
● 11,356 Teachers and HMs have been trained
● Empowering Head Teachers
● The EdoBEST Head Teacher training is designed to empower school leaders with the leadership skills, mindset, tools and technology to drive their school to academic excellence. It instills a sense of ownership and accountability towards pupil learning and overall school health in all Head Teachers.
It has a strong focus on leadership development and equips each
Head Teacher with effective techniques on decision making, critical thinking, and motivating leadership. There is also a deep focus on skill development and supporting their staff. Head
Teachers are provided with training on how to become strong instructional coaches for their teachers, via teacher observation and feedback. Additionally, they are introduced to strategies to energize their team around the mission of their schools and education in Edo state.
Strengthening Teachers
The EdoBEST Teacher Training ensures that teachers are well supported with the skills and knowledge required to lead transformation in their classes, and empower pupils to perform to their fullest potential. It develops teachers’ teaching skills, knowledge and mindsets, making them confident leaders of their classrooms.
● The EdoBEST training exposes teachers to innovative, evidencebased methods in teaching.
● Teachers are prepared to teach interactive lessons, lead small groups and 1:1 instruction, and introduce techniques on providing clear pupil feedback, checking pupil understanding.
● They are also trained on ways to imbibe positive classroom management procedures to effectively drive learning outcomes.
All of these techniques are drawn from best practices and research on highly effective teachers around the world. Critically, teachers undergo several hours of practicing these new teaching techniques, while receiving 1:1 feedback from expert trainers and their peers. Teachers practice teaching in front of their peers and their expert trainers in a simulated classroom environment.
Improved Classroom Culture
● EdoBEST Teachers now utilise classroom behaviour management techniques that are creating significantly more positive learning environments:
● Positive reinforcement of pupil actions through use of cheers and energizers.
● Elimination of use of corporal punishment in the classroom,
replaced by consequences to manage pupil behavior.
● Use of Character Boards which publicly recognize pupil academic achievement (Best in Math, Best in English) and social behaviors (Punctuality, Respect For - Self,
Others, School).
● Recognising pupils for good behaviour and effort motivates them to continue their positive behaviour, and motivates other pupils to achieve the same.
Continuous Professional Development
Teachers and head teachers receive continuous professional development in their schools through consistent on the job coaching and mentoring. Learning and Development Officers regularly spot areas of improvement for each teacher, set SMART goals for such teachers and monitor their improvement. Furthermore, teachers and head teachers are provided with end of day training in their schools to effectively bridge knowledge gaps where necessary.
Digital Quality Assurance Processes
Quality Assurance Officers are the eyes and ears of SUBEB. They ensure schools are compliant with procedural operational requirements and provide valuable insights into critical operational issues based on school visit observations. The rapid digitization and communication processes that they use have enabled SUBEB and other stakeholders to make real-time decisions that have positively enhanced the basic education system.
