By Gabriel Ameh
The FCT Education Secretariat has granted full accreditation to 37 schools following a comprehensive quality assurance exercise conducted across public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory.
Seven other schools were granted provisional accreditation and given six months to address identified deficiencies and reapply for full accreditation, while three schools were denied accreditation after failing to meet the required standards.
The exercise was conducted by the Department of Quality Assurance during the 2025/26 academic session and involved 47 schools at the Basic and Senior levels.
Presenting certificates to the fully accredited schools, the FCT Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, commended the Department of Quality Assurance for its diligence and professionalism in ensuring that schools across the territory meet prescribed educational standards.
He specifically praised the Director of the Department, Hajia Hajarat Titilayo Alayande, and her team for their commitment to improving the quality of education in the FCT.
Dr. Hayyo urged the accredited schools to sustain the standards that earned them accreditation and continue to improve their teaching, learning and overall educational environment.
How the Schools Were Assessed
According to Hajia Alayande, the accreditation exercise was the 18th conducted by the Department. It took place from February 26 to March 4, 2025.
The schools were assessed across four major areas: physical facilities and environment, staffing, curriculum and academic activities, and support services and welfare.
She explained that a school must score at least 67 per cent in each of the four areas to qualify for full accreditation.
Of the 47 schools assessed, 37 met the required standard and received full accreditation.
Seven schools fell short in one of the assessment areas and were therefore granted provisional accreditation. They have been given a six-month period to correct the identified gaps before applying for full accreditation.
The remaining three schools failed in two or more of the assessed areas and were denied accreditation. They will be allowed to reapply after addressing the deficiencies identified during the assessment.
Department Warns Schools Against Complacency
Hajia Alayande reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to strengthening quality assurance and ensuring that schools comply with approved educational standards across the FCT.
She said the Department’s responsibility goes beyond regulation, stressing that its ultimate priority is to protect the interests and welfare of learners.
According to her, every child in the FCT should have access to quality education in a safe, secure and conducive learning environment.
She urged proprietors and administrators of schools that received provisional accreditation or were denied accreditation to take immediate steps to address the identified shortcomings.
She also congratulated the 37 fully accredited schools, while urging them to see the accreditation as a responsibility to sustain and improve the standards they have achieved.
Schools Pledge to Maintain Standards
Speaking on behalf of the accredited schools, the Vice Principal, Administration, Redeemers Private School, Lugbe, Kelechi Musango Mukwelle, appreciated the FCT Education Secretariat for providing schools with the opportunity to participate in the accreditation exercise.
She said the exercise would encourage schools to intensify efforts to maintain prescribed standards and provide better learning environments for students.
Mukwelle assured the Education Secretariat of the schools’ commitment to complying with established regulations and standards in order to improve the effectiveness and quality of education delivery.
The Head of Accreditation, Hajia Rukayatu Husain, also thanked the FCT Education Secretariat for its support throughout the accreditation process.
She urged the accredited schools to maintain the standards they had achieved and continue improving their facilities, teaching methods and learning processes.
The presentation of certificates to the successful schools marked another step in the FCT Education Secretariat’s efforts to strengthen regulation, improve learning environments and promote better educational outcomes for children across the Federal Capital Territory.
Source: FCT Education Secretariat, Department of Quality Assurance.
