Edo commences recruitment of 5,000 teachers

The Edo Government has commenced the process of recruiting 5,000 teachers for its public primary and secondary schools, Mr Gideon Obakhan, the state’s Commissioner for Education, has said.

Governor Oshiomhole

Obakhan, who made this known on Thursday while speaking with newsmen, said 50 science and special teachers had already been recruited for those with special needs.

According to him, induction and orientation programmes have been organised for the teachers.

“They have concluded this and they are being posted out to different schools in the state.

“We are also going to start the process of the employment of 3,000 teachers within a short while. We have carried out an analysis to that effect.

“Our long term plan is to have about 5,000 teachers before the end of 2016.

“We are still doing an analysis to be sure we are getting efficiency.

“Because of the separation of senior secondary and junior secondary schools, there have been some requests for teachers.

“We need to do some analysis to know the exact number that we need now but we know that there have been some complaints about teachers in some schools,’’ he said.

The commissioner said the state would get the required number of teachers to run its schools, adding that many of them would be posted to rural areas.

“We are also taking a firm stand on redistribution of teachers across schools in the state.

“We have made it clear that there will be no preference in teachers’ redistribution, including those already in the system because lot of people lobby to remain in the urban centres.

“We have made it known to them that people in the rural areas are not less important than those in the cities.

“So, if you are ready to take up appointment, you should be ready to go anywhere,” he stated.

Edo commences recruitment of 5,000 teachers

Fayose apologises to teachers for underpayment

ADO-EKITI—Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday apologised to primary school teachers in the state over the mix-up in the payment of their last month’s salary.

Fayose vows to lead opposition against APC

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said; “Even though the mix-up was from the State Accountant General’s office but as the state governor, he takes responsibility.

“I want to apologise for the inconsistency and problems encountered in crediting the accounts of some primary school teachers, it was after my broadcast few days back that I got a lot of text messages from some teachers that were affected.

“I sincerely want to apologise, I have gotten to the root of the matter, I have found out that there were mix-ups here and there, the accounts were credited and later withdrawn for carelessness in the accountant general’s office, for whatever it is I take responsibility, I apologise and want to assure you all the lapses will be corrected.

“My teachers at the primary school level, this money will be credited to your accounts between now and Wednesday unfailingly. My apologies.”

Fayose apologises to teachers for underpayment

23 Anambra teachers, others jet out to Singapore for vocational/technical training

As part of efforts to revamp the 11 vocational and technical colleges in Anambra State, the state government, has sponsored 23 teachers, including principals, and administrators from the Ministry of Education, MoE, on a study-trip to Singapore.

South East Voice gathered that the training became necessary in a bid to enhance the four pillars of the administration of Governor Willie Obiano, through technical and vocational education.

Massivedevelopment

Speaking, some of the teachers and principals selected from the 11 colleges, expressed optimism that the visit would go a long way in bringing about massive development in the state, especially in the area of producing the needed and qualified manpower among the students, after the courses.

The Vice Principal (Administration), Nigerian Science and Technical College, Nnewi, Mrs. Uzoma Okeke said:

‘’When I get to Singapore, I expect to see how technical and vocational trainings are run according to best global practices. I hope to bring back the knowledge to improve our school system.

‘”Most importantly, I want to see how the institutions we are visiting run the theoretical and practical aspects of their curriculum, so that when we come back, we can introduce same in our schools.’’ Also, the Head, Department of Technical College, Umunze, Simon Nwafor, said: ‘’My expectation is for us to see and learn what we need to improve the technical and vocational educational system.

“We have had remarkable improvements since the present administration came in, especially in terms of human capacity building, staff welfare, provision of equipment needed to enhance teaching and learning in our colleges. So, with this study-trip, I feel it is another step ahead for better things to come.’’

Also, in the team are the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke; Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Beatrice Okonkwo; Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Nzeemeaka Olisa;

Chairman, Anambra State Post-Primary School Services Commission, ASPPSSC, Lady Joy Ulasi; Coordinator, Anambra State Economic Think-Tank, ANET, Mac Attasie; the Project Coordinator, Anambra State Education Programme INVESTMENT Project, ASEPIP, Charly Okeke as well as the Director, Higher Technical/Vocational Department, Dr. Laz Okafor, among others.

Speaking to South East Voice, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Omenugha, said that the visit was necessary to give the technical and vocational educational system a facelift.

‘’We are taking teachers of the Anambra State Technical College on a study-visit to Singapore. When Governor Obiano assumed office, we noticed that technical and vocational education were at the lowest ebb in the state. Among the 11 technical colleges, not even one had accreditation with the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.

“So, we are now developing the needed human resources through the development of our technical colleges, so that the products of these colleges will be ready-made to take up employments. Again, we noticed that the standard of the students cannot be higher than that of their teachers, so we kicked-off serious human capacity building programmes for the teachers.

“We have done a lot of local trainings for them in the last one year, and now, we are taking them to Singapore to ensure best practices in technical and vocational education. The idea is that when these teachers are exposed to international best practices, they will be able to impact same to the students, thus producing graduates who are employable.’’

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kiara College, Endi Ezengwa, whose firm consults on technical and vocational education for the state, said Singapore was chosen for the study-visit ‘’because it is a very good example in the world on Technical and Vocational Education, TVED.

They have working systems that are worth emulating all over the world. When we get to Singapore, we will visit the ITE Educational Services, an institution in-charge of technical and vocational educational services in Singapore.

 

23 Anambra teachers, others jet out to Singapore for vocational/technical training

FG plans summit for teachers

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The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mac-John Nwaobiala, on Saturday said the Federal Government was planning to organise a high-level national summit for teachers.

Nwaobiala said this at the 44th annual inter-house sports competition of the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba.

According to him, the essence of the summit is to seek ways of improving on the quality of the teachers, especially those of the 104 unity colleges in the country.

He said the summit would be driven to the highest level as it was expecting President Goodluck Jonathan to be in attendance.

The permanent secretary added that the current administration was passionate about the future of the Nigerian child, stressing that one major way of securing it was through qualitative education.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education was currently paying attention to the recruitment of teachers for core subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Technical.

“Recently, we carried out employment on core subject teachers such as Mathematics, Science and Technical.

“We might not have enough as required by the individual colleges, but we will strive to ensure that we provide these schools with teachers of these core subjects, as this would provide the platform for technological advancement and national development,’’ he said.

Nwaobiala also reiterated government’s commitment to encourage the development of sports in schools across the country.

He stressed that sporting activities go beyond competing and winning laurels.

According to him, when one gets involved in activities such as jogging, aerobics and walking, one improves the functions of the heart and lungs by giving them strength.

“Hence, it can be deduced that sporting activities is capable of giving us a sound mind in a physically strong body.

“Sports is important because it helps to inculcate values such as endurance, tolerance, sportsmanship and leadership skills among others” the permanent secretary said.

Nwaobiala stressed that through sports, youngsters were given opportunity to showcase their talents and were encouraged to excel and groomed to limelight.

He said events such as the inter-house sports competition were usually an annual event, which, like education were utilised to promote national integration, unity and excellence.

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FG plans summit for teachers

21,000 apply for Edo teaching jobs

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday said his administration would engage the services of only qualified teachers to improve standard of education in the state.

Governor Oshiomhole stated this when he received a committee report on the recruitment of teachers for the state ministry of education in Benin.

He explained that strength of the state’s teaching staff was inadequate as against the number of schools available, adding that those recommended by the committee, irrespective of their state of origin, would be engaged.‎

Oshiomhole stated that the state government had demonstrated, through its intervention and by the quality of schools built, that “education for us is at the heart of our future.”

He added, “Our future lies in producing the best of human capital, and where merit is required, our people would be a first choice.

“I know for a fact that we still need more teachers, we still have schools without enough teachers, and this is premised on the problem of posting and corruption in the section of the ministry of education.”

He, however, commended members of the committee for their helping the state government to overcome the challenge of selecting suitably qualified candidates for the various positions.

‎Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Professor Dennis Agbonlahor, explained that 21,195 persons applied for teaching positions in the state.

Agbonlahor said that the applicants were invited for a screening exercise, through a Short Message Service, which was, however, responded to by only 9,171 applicants‎.

21,000 apply for Edo teaching jobs

Edo State government cancels teachers’ competency test, restores pay of 936

Edo State Government has soft-pedaled on the planned competency test for teachers in the state even as the government recalled the 936 teachers whose names were deleted from the payroll over certificate discrepancies and age falsification.

Oshiomhole

Also, the Government announced the immediate extention of the relativity to teachers in the state public schools.

Making the announcements today, Governor Adams Oshiomhole during a meeting with the teachers unions and the Nigeria Labour Congress said “On assumption of office, it was very clear to me and my colleagues that our future is defined by the level of investment in education and the quality of the basic education we provide for our children and that is why we have devoted resources to the rebuilding of our Primary Schools, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools.

“For me, it was clear coming from my own background, I had obligation to restore dignity to the educational sector in the state. Basic Education is like the foundation of a house. If the foundation is weak, the building will collapse but if the foundation be strong, it will withstand the test of time. It is easier to re roof than to re build a complete house”

The need to ensure the future of the state is not compromised by compromising the future of the Edo child necessitated the action to redefine the educational system in the state. State Government’s commitment to carry out competency test was informed by these broad facts having discovered that some of our teachers were not qualified or up to date with recent teaching methods. Our insistence on the fact that competency test must be seen in this light.

“However, having listened to all suggestions and consultations with various groups, Government has agreed to set aside the Competency or Assessment test in order to re assure Edo workers that government has no intention to sack anyone.”

The Governor said in place of the competency test, Government will introduce training and re-training for teachers and all others civil servants in the State, promising that welfare package will be provided during the training exercise

According to him, “On the teachers with falsified age declaration with criminal intentions to cheat, government has resolved to pardon them and retire those whose records show that they are above 60 years while those below 60 years are to return to the classroom with their names returned to the payroll and will benefit from the training programme.

“Following investigation, the alleged Ghost Workers in Ovia North East Local Government Area who have been found to have actually been on ground will have their two months pending salary paid. I will discuss with the Local Government Chairman on how to effect their payments.”

Responding, the trio of the leadership of organised labour, NLC, TUC, and NUT expressed thanks to the Comrade Governor adding that the prolonged crisis faced by leadership of the organised labour as it affects teachers and workers in the state will now be a thing of the past.

They promised to continually give their full support and allegiance to the administration of the Comrade Governor stressing that teachers in the state will now sleep with both eyes closed.

Edo State government cancels teachers’ competency test, restores pay of 936

Edo teachers dare Oshiomhole over competency test

The Edo Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) said on Thursday that its members would not seat for any competency test conducted by the state government.

The Chairman of the chapter, Mr Mike Uhunmwangho disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

Oshiomhole

Uhunmwangho said that NUT members would not seat for any test because a court had restrained the Edo state government  from conducting the test.

“The next court sitting on the matter comes up on April 12 in Akure,” he said.

Uhunmwangho said that those who sat for the recently-conducted assessment test were not teachers but government officials.

“Those of them who went for the test are commissioners, including other government officials.

“We are not going to write any test, even if given a second chance,” Uhunmwangho said.

NAN reports that Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, while receiving the report of the Teachers Assessment Committee on April 2, said that the test was compulsory for all teachers.

Oshiomhole said any public school teacher, who had not taken the assessment test would not remain on the payroll of the government.

He added that: “there is no stopping the teachers’ assessment test”.

The governor stressed that the government would conduct another assessment test for those who were yet to seat for the test.

The governor, however, gave the teachers two weeks within which to comply.

Uhunmwangho said the NUT was waiting for the government to sack those who did not take the test.

“It will be a world headline that the Edo State Government sacked about 17,000 teachers in the state pubic primary and secondary schools because of their refusal to write an assessment test.

“He had already sacked 925 teachers.

“Why are Nigerians not asking that the same measure be use for other workers on the state’s payroll?

“Why is it that it is only teachers that are affected because it was all the workers in Edo state that participated in the state organised biometrics?

“If he believes that he cannot follow the law that brought him into power, we leave the issue to the people who know the law better,” Uhunmwangho said.

He added that there were no chairs, tables and laboratories in most of the renovated schools in the state.

He added that those were pressing issues that needed to be tackled.

Edo teachers dare Oshiomhole over competency test