How KAD-SUBEB Chairman Champions Teacher Recognition To Boost Basic Education In Kaduna

Under the leadership of Malam Mubarak Muhammad, the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KAD-SUBEB) has launched a strategic approach to make teaching more rewarding for educators in the state’s basic schools.

The program focuses on recognizing outstanding teachers through performance-based reward ceremonies. This aims to encourage teachers to bring their best to the classroom and improve the quality of education for students.

Mubarak, who is young, intelligent and innovative in his approach, is working to address long-standing challenges in the basic education sector. His leadership style emphasizes practical solutions that directly impact teachers’ morale and student learning. He believes in teacher motivation to get the best results from the teachers in the basic classrooms across the state.

This year’s Maiden Edition of the Teacher of the Year Award 2025 was held yesterday, 4th October, 2025, at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna. The event marked a significant milestone in the board’s efforts to celebrate educational excellence in the state.

The awards programme is organized for the purpose of identifying teachers that demonstrate exceptional commitment to their duties. Winners received recognition at a public ceremony with awards, certificates, and monetary rewards that acknowledged their hard work.

Speaking at the event, Mubarak expressed deep appreciation to teachers across the state;

Teachers’ reward is not only in heaven but also on earth, and we’re committed to teachers’ welfare, because when teachers feel valued, students benefit – Mubarak

The board believes that motivated teachers create better learning environments and help students achieve more.

Beyond Awards, the board works in collaboration with other educational stakeholders, like PLANE, TaRL, Jolly Phonics, UNICEF, Save the Children Initiative, and many others have been doing so in other incentives to support teachers. These include training opportunities, teaching materials, and support for professional development.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has emphasized education as a priority for his administration and backed efforts to improve conditions for both teachers and students, including infrastructure.

KAD-SUBEB’s approach represents a shift from purely punitive measures to a balanced system that rewards excellence while addressing poor performance strategically. The board hopes this will create healthy competition among teachers and local government areas where basic education resides.

The timing of this program is significant and cannot come at a better time than now when teachers’ morale is low as a result of lack of proper motivation.

This program by KAD-SUBEB offers a potential model for other states seeking practical solutions to teacher motivation. Mubarak’s leadership has brought fresh energy to KAD-SUBEB operations and engagement with teachers it is meant to serve. His focus on teacher welfare marks a departure from traditional administrative approaches in the education sector.

The board plans to continue the recognition/awards programme annually for sustainability of teachers’ morale. More activities will possibly be added and the selection process will involve input from relevant stakeholders in the LGAs across the state to ensure fairness and transparency.

However, the success of this initiative could determine whether other states adopt similar approaches to teacher motivation and educational improvement across Nigeria.