The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has awarded 23 teachers across the state’s LGAs for being exceptional, dedicated and hardworking in the discharge of their duties of imparting knowledge to learners.
In his address, Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, Mr Mubarak Muhammad, said the gathering was not just a ceremony but a defining moment for education in Kaduna state, noting that the event was the first of its kind to honour basic school teachers.
He disclosed that in line with the SUSTAIN Agenda of Governor Uba Sani, teachers were recognised as the resource that creates, develops, and transforms other resources, driving change and shaping the future of Kaduna children.
He noted that teachers were at the forefront of improving learning outcomes and ensuring equal opportunities, stressing that their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement fuels societal change and human development.
He explained that the ‘Best Teacher Award’ was established to celebrate teachers with outstanding skills, leadership, and dedication to education, adding that the initiative would also motivate professionalism and character among learners.
Muhammad emphasised that while the saying goes “the teacher’s reward is in heaven,” Kaduna state believes that recognition should also begin on earth through the Best Teacher Award Programme, which has now become a permanent feature.
He mentioned that the nominees were selected through a transparent process coordinated by Local Government Education Authorities, judged on professional knowledge, teaching skills, and adherence to the Teacher Code of Conduct.
According to him, 115 nominees from 23 local government areas underwent rigorous screening, interviews, and classroom observations, with independent evaluation of lesson delivery, time management and classroom management.
Muhammad said the process involved respected institutions, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) and the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA).
It also involved the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the State School-Based Management Committees (SBMC), and the Ministry of Education, ensuring credibility and fairness in choosing the awardees.
The KADSUBEB boss emphasised that the outcome gave confidence that those honoured truly represented the best of Kaduna teachers, whose impact on pupils and society remained invaluable.
He noted that all nominees were celebrated as winners, commending their resilience and urging them not to relent, while congratulating the award recipients for inspiring future generations in Kaduna State.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, thanked the KADSUBEB for organising the maiden edition of the Best Teacher Award Ceremony and stakeholders for their invaluable support to education in the state.
Sani, represented by the state’s Commissioner of Education, Prof. Sani Sambo, said the gathering was to celebrate excellence and honour the men and women who are the heart and soul of the educational system, describing teachers as dedicated professionals shaping the lives of children daily.
He added that the initiative aligned with his administration’s Governance Agenda, which recognised the central place of education in development and empowerment, stressing that education remained the cornerstone of his transformation agenda.
Sani explained that since assuming office on May 29, 2023, his administration had been committed to creating accessible, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments, backing his commitment with increased budgetary allocation to education.
He noted that the administration had constructed 62 new secondary schools, 707 new classrooms, and renovated 2,326 classrooms across the state to expand access and improve infrastructure for effective teaching and learning.
Sani added that 30,742 two-seater pupil furniture and 3,704 teachers’ furniture were supplied, alongside a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions and improved state scholarships for learners.
He congratulated the awardee on the well-deserved recognition and expressed hope that the award would inspire other teachers across the state to recommit themselves to the pursuit of excellence in education.
On behalf of the awardees, Mrs Esther Affun of Chikun LGA said the awards were a great honour and recognition of the sacrifices teachers make daily, noting that it would further encourage them to rededicate themselves to shaping the lives of children in Kaduna State.
She added that the transparent process that produced the winners gave every teacher confidence that hard work and commitment would always be recognised, regardless of location, background, or circumstance.
Affun noted that the initiative would serve as motivation for teachers across the 23 local government areas to continue giving their best, knowing their contributions were valued and appreciated by the government and society.
She thanked the state government, partners and stakeholders for supporting the programme, pledging on behalf of all the awardees to remain committed to excellence and to raise the standard of education in Kaduna state.