Management of Adult Literacy Centres and Programme Quality Improvement in Kaduna State

This study examined the relationship between management practices and programme quality improvement in adult literacy centres in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. Effective centre management is a recognised determinant of adult literacy programme outcomes, yet the specific management behaviours and systems most strongly associated with quality improvement in the North West context have not been systematically investigated. The study employed a descriptive survey design involving 75 centre managers, supervisors, and senior facilitators drawn from state-managed literacy centres across four local government areas. Management assessment instruments, structured interviews, and programme quality indicators informed data collection. Findings revealed that centres with clearly defined operational procedures, regular facilitator supervision, data-driven programme adjustments, and active community advisory structures achieved significantly better learner outcome indicators than those with informal or reactive management approaches. Budgetary constraints and delays in government fund releases were identified as the most disruptive management challenges, frequently leading to facility closures and facilitator absenteeism. Centres managed by officers with formal adult education management training performed significantly better on multiple quality dimensions. The study recommends developing a standardised quality management framework for all adult literacy centres in Kaduna, mandating management training for centre coordinators, establishing real-time programme monitoring dashboards, and creating performance-based incentive systems for high-performing centres. Decentralising operational budgets to centre level is also proposed as a management efficiency measure. Keywords: centre management, programme quality, adult literacy, Kaduna State, professional development.