By SANI IDRIS ABDULRAHMAN

Kaduna, Aug. 19, 2026 (NAN) Nigerian secondary school principals have converged in Kaduna for their 68th Annual National Congress focusing on technology.

The congress under the auspices of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), has the theme “Leading the Digital Leap, Redefining Quality Education Through Technology-Driven Assessment and School Management.”

Speaking at the opening of the congress on Wednesday in Kaduna, Mr Jonathan Danbaki, President of the Kaduna State branch of ANCOPSS, said the theme was timely and relevant to the demands of 21st-century education.

Danbaki said rapid technological advancement required the education sector to continuously evolve to remain effective, competitive and globally relevant.

He said principals and school managers had a collective responsibility to embrace digital transformation, strengthen administration and improve assessment systems.

According to him, the congress provides an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop sustainable strategies for advancing education in Nigeria.

Danbaki expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State Government and the ANCOPSS National Executive Council for supporting the hosting of the national congress.

He also commended Gov. Uba Sani for his commitment to education, innovation and human capital development in the state.

He highlighted the administration’s interventions, including payment of the N72,000 minimum wage, extension of teachers’ service years and construction and renovation of schools.

Dr Robert Okorie, National President of ANCOPSS, said the confederation had remained an important stakeholder in education policy formulation and implementation since its establishment in 1957.

Okorie said ANCOPSS had continued to strengthen the capacity of principals through regular professional training programmes locally and internationally.

He called for increased government support for principals to participate in international conferences and other capacity-building programmes.

The national president also said the confederation organised annual quiz and essay competitions for secondary schools across the country.

Okorie called for modern information and communication technology facilities in schools to support the growing adoption of computer-based examinations.

He also advocated aggressive renovation of schools, construction of additional facilities, improved remuneration for teachers and expanded opportunities for training and retraining.

He said adequate funding was necessary to address challenges facing secondary education and improve learning outcomes nationwide.

On the congress theme, Okorie said the increasing use of computer-based examinations had made digital readiness imperative for secondary schools.

He urged principals to play active roles in preparing schools, teachers and students for technology-driven assessment and modern educational practices.

Mukthar Maude, Director of Schools, representing Prof. Abubakar Sambo, Kaduna State Commissioner of Education, said technology was transforming teaching, learning, assessment and school management.

Sambo said the issue was no longer whether technology should be integrated into education, but how effectively it could improve learning outcomes and accountability.

He described the modern principal as an instructional leader, data-informed decision-maker, technology advocate and change manager.

He urged principals to deploy digital tools for attendance monitoring, staff management, lesson supervision, student records, resource management and academic performance tracking.

Sambo said technology-driven assessment could improve result processing, data management, feedback and early identification of learners’ academic challenges.

He stressed that assessment should go beyond assigning grades to using evidence to improve teaching, learning and targeted interventions.

Sambo cautioned that digital transformation must address data privacy, cybersecurity, assessment integrity and equitable access to technology.

He said Kaduna State remained committed to improving education through better infrastructure, teacher development, digital skills, school safety, inclusion and improved learning outcomes.

Prof. Usman Zaria, Director-General of the Kaduna State School Quality Assurance Authority, who represented Gov. Uba Sani, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritising education.

Sani said the government would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening educational quality, improving school management and equipping learners with skills for a changing world.

The congress brought together principals, education administrators, policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders from across Nigeria to deliberate on technology-driven assessment and school management. (NAN)