The EKOEXCEL programme, a Lagos State Government initiative aimed at elevating primary school education, has achieved outstanding success in the 2023 National Common Entrance Examinations. Pupils from the public primary schools under the EKOEXCEL programme achieved top scores in the results released by the National Examinations Council on July 12, 2023 with pupils scoring as high as 199, just 4 points away from the national best score of 203.
The programme fortified its commitment to pupil success by providing comprehensive preparatory classes for pupils, enriched with essential materials. Unified mock examinations conducted at the conclusion of each term offered students vital exposure to examination patterns, equipping them with the confidence and readiness required for success.
The 2021-2022 Academic Session witnessed a significant stride as the programme expanded its horizons by offering pupils the opportunity to partake in High Stakes Examinations as an alternative to the Lagos State Placement Test (LSPT) for transitory pupils in primary six.
With the overarching goal of fostering a culture of excellence and empowering pupils to strive for exceptional performance beyond conventional standards, the EKOEXCEL programme has celebrated a resounding accomplishment.
A total of 38 pupils participated in the High Stakes Examinations, culminating in the remarkable achievement of 13 pupils gaining admission into Federal Unity Colleges.
This year, the momentum continued to surge, with an even greater number of pupils engaging in High Stakes Examinations. In July 2023, a total of 73 pupils, comprising 0.08% of the active pupil population (82,181), participated in various High Stakes Examinations. This achievement represents a 4% increase compared to the previous academic session’s participation rate.
18 pupils under the EKOEXCEL programme took part in the National Common Entrance Examination and 50% of the tracked candidates scored 70% and above.
The best performing pupils, once again put Lagos State and EKOEXCEL on the map with their exceptional results, running closely behind the national best pupil who scored 203 over 210.
The top three EKOEXCEL pupils, all girls, Ololade Ganiyat of St Mary’s Convent Primary School, Ugwu Victoria of Enitan Primary School and Chima Faith Mesomachukwu from Community Nursery & Primary School Ijeododo achieved exceptional scores of 199, 191, and 185 respectively.
The highest scoring male pupil, Olaseni Benedict Ibukunoluwa, scored 167 and took the 5th position this year with 80% and 3% less than the female candidate in the fourth position who scored 174 out of 210.
Ololade Ganiyat, the top scorer amongst EKOEXCEL pupils, consistently demonstrated academic excellence, topping her class for the past two academic years. Ololade Ganiyat, also highlighted that the use of motivational cheers to inspire and encourage her significantly enhanced her learning and self -esteem over time. Her success serves as a testament to the effectiveness of EKOEXCEL’s methodology in promoting and nurturing exceptional talents while creating a gender parity learning environment.
The programme has once again demonstrated its commitment to gender parity, with 64.7% female participation and 35.3% male participation. Additionally, candidates from diverse Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) showcased their potential, with Lagos Mainland hosting the highest number of candidates and the highest score emerging from Lagos Island.
EKOEXCEL, superintended over by Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), has continued to lead the charge in transforming public primary education in Nigeria. Under the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu THEMES plus agenda, EKOEXCEL has evolved into a globally recognised, award winning public education intervention, designed to equip and support public school teachers with technology driven tools and methodology, while supporting increased learning gains in classrooms.
Last July, the EKOEXCEL programme was recognised at the 19th edition of the Titans of Tech awards, for the Most Innovative Digital Learning Platform of the Year, for the 2nd consecutive year, further validating the interventions efficacy.
The organisers described EKOEXCEL as not just being at the forefront of Innovative digital learning but is also a leading e-learning provider and enabler with a history of consistency, innovation and passion for excellence with over 13,000 teachers retrained and migrated from analogue to digital teaching using the latest tech and updated curricular. EKOEXCEL classrooms are rated excellent on two critical determinants of classroom culture: Supportive Learning Environment and Positive Behavioral Expectations among others.
This article appeared originally on Independent, August 9, 2023
