The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB), in collaboration with the organization Sightsavers, has trained teachers from four local government areas on school eye health and vision screening as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes among primary school pupils.
The one-day training programme brought together teachers from Sabon Gari, Igabi, Kaduna South, and Kaura Local Government Areas, equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills required to identify pupils with visual impairments and refractive errors in public primary schools.
The initiative is designed to promote early detection of vision-related challenges among schoolchildren, enabling affected pupils to receive timely intervention, treatment, and support necessary for improved academic performance and overall well-being.
The training was facilitated by Dr. Williams Anthony of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, with support from Sightsavers under its See Clear Nigeria Project, a programme being implemented across North-West states to address avoidable blindness and visual impairment among school-age children.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Executive Chairman of KADSUBEB, the Director of Social Mobilization, Kabiru Lawal, urged participants to approach the exercise with commitment and professionalism.
He emphasized that school vision screening should be viewed as an important intervention that enhances teaching and learning rather than an additional burden on teachers.
“A child who cannot see properly cannot learn effectively. This programme is designed to help remove that barrier and create a more conducive learning environment for every child,” Lawal said.
Also speaking, the Principal Social Mobilization Officer (PSMO) Health, KADSUBEB, Asma’u Idris Lere, stressed the need for accuracy in the screening process. She cautioned participants against submitting inaccurate data, noting that incorrect identification of pupils with refractive errors could undermine the success of the programme, particularly at the cluster level where beneficiaries are expected to receive free eye examinations, treatment, and corrective spectacles.
Lere encouraged teachers to apply the knowledge gained during the training diligently to ensure that children with vision challenges are properly identified and referred for appropriate care.
Under the programme, trained teachers will conduct vision screening exercises in their respective schools and refer pupils with suspected eye conditions to designated health facilities for further clinical assessment and treatment.
The See Clear Nigeria Project seeks to improve educational outcomes by addressing vision-related barriers to learning, enabling children to participate effectively in classroom activities and achieve their full potential.
The intervention aligns with KADSUBEB’s commitment to holistic child development and supports the education transformation agenda of the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.