Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has approved the employment of 6,200 teachers for public primary and secondary schools.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, disclosed this at a bimonthly press conference on Tuesday in Lafia.

The SSA explained that out of the approved numbers, 4,700 would be employed for primary schools, while 1,500 would be employed for secondary schools across the 13 local government areas (LGAs) and 18 administrative areas of the state.

Mr Ahemba explained that the employment was to fill the vacancies created due to retirement, deaths, and transfer of service as well as increased school enrolment.

He further explained that the Musa Danazumi-led leadership of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SEBEB) began the process for the employment of teachers in primary schools but could not complete it before their tenure ended.

“The governor had directed the new SUBEB Chairman, Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, to complete the process and release the names of those employed. As we speak, the list of qualified candidates from all 13 LGAs of the state was submitted to the Ministry of Education for input. Very soon, the list will be out, and the successful candidates will be deployed to schools that are lacking manpower now,” the governor’s aide added.

The SSA further explained that the 1,500 approved for secondary schools were to replace the over 3,000 illegally employed by the dismissed management of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

He noted that the governor had since sacked the management of TSC involved in the illegal employment in line with its zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement of public trust.

“The Nasarawa State House of Assembly is currently investigating the dismissed management of the commission to unravel what transpired and the level of involvement of each of them for onwards actions,” he added.

He said that the new management of TSC had already begun the process for the employment of the 1,500 teachers to secondary schools.

“Only 719 candidates were successful out of the 4,243 who applied and sat for the computer-based test to be employed in secondary schools,” he added.

The governor’s aide further said that the government had awarded contracts for the massive construction and renovation of primary and junior secondary schools in the state.

He emphasised that the government was determined to provide conducive learning environments for teachers and students in line with its efforts to improve the standard of education at all levels.

Mr Ahemba also used the medium to appreciate the residents of the state for the rousing welcome they accorded President Bola Tinubu during his one-day official visit to the state on June 25. 

(NAN)