By Tom Zaneni, Abuja
The Edo State Government has recruited of 5,500 new teachers to improve teaching and learning in schools.
According to the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ozavize Salami, the recruitment exercise was part of the strategy to close the teacher-gap in primary and junior secondary schools.
She told journalists at a press briefing in Benin that 19,931 applications were received and 16,038 selected for computer-based tests and interviews.
Salami, while describing the recruitment process as rigorous, said, “Candidates with skills and expertise relevant to gaps in the school system were selected to fill gaps across all local government areas.
“The newly recruited teachers will undergo training and capacity building to ensure they are equipped to deliver quality education.”
She noted that the commitment of the Governor Godwin Obaski-led administration to education reforms under its ‘EdoBEST’ policy had repositioned the state as a leader in Nigeria with a focus on improving learning outcomes for approximately 400,000 children.
Salami said the recruitment of the new 5,500 teachers was a right step towards achieving this objective.
She said that of this number, 1780 EdoSTAR fellows, who were engaged as trainee teachers two years ago, were recruited as full-time government teachers.
The Edo SUBEB boss said the conclusion of the exercise demonstrated the state government’s commitment to investing in its teachers and providing opportunities for growth and development.
She said the newly recruited teachers had been deployed to schools across the state based on the observed gap.
“We are confident that this recruitment will have a positive impact on teaching and learning in our basic schools”, Salami said.
