Implementation of the National Policy on Education at the Secondary School Level in Kaduna State

This study examines the implementation of the National Policy on Education at the secondary school level in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. The National Policy on Education provides the overarching framework for Nigeria's education system, specifying objectives, curriculum structure, teacher qualifications, and assessment approaches across all levels. Despite multiple revisions of this policy, evidence suggests significant gaps between policy prescriptions and actual practice in many Nigerian states. In Kaduna State, where secondary education management is divided across state and local government structures, implementation consistency is particularly variable. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with data from 50 principals, 200 teachers, and 30 state Ministry of Education officials across 25 secondary schools in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, and Zaria local government areas. Implementation quality was assessed using a checklist aligned with NPE provisions on curriculum, teacher qualifications, student-teacher ratios, and assessment. Regression and descriptive analysis were applied. Results reveal substantial implementation gaps, particularly in teacher qualification compliance, recommended student-teacher ratios, and continuous assessment weighting adherence. Policy awareness among teachers was moderate, with less than 50 percent correctly identifying key NPE provisions. The study concludes that NPE implementation at the secondary level in Kaduna State requires significant strengthening. It recommends that the Kaduna State Ministry of Education develop a state-level NPE implementation action plan with clear timelines, designated responsibility, and annual progress reporting to close identified compliance gaps.

Keywords: National Policy on Education, implementation, secondary school, Kaduna State, education governance.