AN ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PRACTICES IN UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION PROJECTS IN KADUNA STATE

Due to the insufficient implementation of quality management methods by construction firms in developingnations, the adoption of Quality Management System (QMS) in building projects is reported to be lower inthese countries than in developed ones. This study looked into the Quality Management System (QMS)procedures used in State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) projects. It also evaluated the benefits ofadopting a QMS, the factors influencing QMS implementation, and the causes of QMS faults in UBE projectsin Kaduna state. On this topic, a survey was sent to the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board'ssenior management team. 49 surveys were distributed in total, all of which were correctly filled out, returned,and examined. To analyse the data, descriptive statistics were employed. The results showed that the mainvariables influencing the adoption of QMS in UBE projects in Kaduna state were the application of variousquality ideas, lack of motivation, and the belief that quality is expensive, which were ranked 1st 2nd and 3rdrespectively. The two most significant advantages of implementing a quality management system (QMS)were improved project performance and enhanced reputation for high-quality design and construction. Asregard the most important benefits derived from the implementation of QMS, Increased project performanceand Enhanced reputation for good design and construction were ranked high. While 'inappropriate method ofcontractor selection' was found to be the main source of QMS defects in UBE projects in Kaduna state. Basedon these findings, it is pertinent to recommend that organisations such as SUBEB should ensure a mandatoryQMS independent certification and construction professional bodies such as; NIOB/CORBON,NSE/COREN, NIQS/QSRBN, NIA/ARCON etc. should be mandated as independent third-partycertification bodies in Nigeria to ensure strict compliance to codes and standards.