A learner is assessed during a TaRL session in Nigeria. Photo: TaRL Africa
In September 2022, the Kebbi state government continued its strong commitment to enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy in the state by renewing funding support to Kebbi Foundational Skills Accelerator (KeFSA) — the state’s TaRL programme. KeFSA received funding support from the state government for the second time for a period of twelve months (from October 2022 to September 2023). The state government first funded the pilot conducted from May 2021 to December 2021.
According to Mallam Abdullahi Shehu Zauro, the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) Deputy Director of Academics Services, KeFSA’s remarkable achievement last year motivated their decision to invest in the continued implementation of the programme in the state.
Thus far, KeFSA has improved both the literacy and numeracy skills of over 22,000 pupils in primary four, five, and six in Birnin Kebbi and Aliero local government areas (LGAs). Between January 2022 and July 2022, KeFSA’s assessment results indicated significant improvement in learning outcomes. There was a 19 percentage point improvement in the proportion of learners who could not read words in Hausa and a 13 percentage point improvement in learners who could not recognize two-digit numbers. The programme has also built the capacity of 758 teachers, 152 mentors, 17 master trainers, and five Educational Management Information Systems Officers (EMISOs).
