The Borno Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, has revealed that only 5,439 of the 17,229 teachers in primary schools are competent to teach.

Mr Wakilbe disclosed this while submitting the report of a special committee to Governor Babagana Zulum on Thursday in Bauchi.

The commissioner, the committee’s chairman, said the report was prepared after conducting the Basic Literacy and Numeracy Competency Assessment for teachers in the 27 Local Education Authorities (LEAs).

The commissioner pointed out that 7,975 teachers were qualified but required further training, adding that 3,815 others were unqualified and could not be trained.

“Analysis of result has shown that of the 17,229 teachers, 5,439 representing 31.6 per cent are found to be competent, and 7,975 constituting 46.3 per cent need further training while 3,815 constituting 22.1 per cent are incompetent,” stated the education commissioner.

He added, “Furthermore, a review of their academic qualification shows that 1,627 teachers constituting 9.4 per cent are degree holders, 8,153 teachers constituting 47.3 per cent are NCE holders, and 2,066 constituting 12 per cent are diploma holders.”

In addition, he revealed that 713 teachers constituting 4.1 per cent, were Grade II holders, and 2,281 constituting 13.2 per cent, were SSCE/GCE or equivalent qualification, while 2,389 constituting 13.9 per cent had no formal qualification.

Mr Wakilbe said the committee presented 24 recommendations to the government to address the situation.

Responding, Mr Zulum described the situation as “disturbing.”

The Borno governor also mentioned that his administration accorded priority to the provision of quality education and healthcare services, noting that unqualified personnel would not be allowed.

He assured that qualified teachers would be reimbursed with the new minimum wage, and those needing training would be trained while unqualified teachers would be redeployed.

He directed the education ministry to look into the educational records of the competent teachers for proper placements based on their qualifications and years of service. 

(NAN)