- SUBEB eyes 25,000 for recruitment –
Kaduna State Executive Council has commenced the process sacking 21,780 teachers that reportedly failed the primary four teachers’ competency test, effectively shunning the strike threat issued by Kaduna chapter of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).
Already, Governor Nasir el-Rufai has ratified the competency test and ordered immediate recruitment of 25,000 teachers to replace those who failed the exam.
Also, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has released names of 11,220 out of the 33,000 primary school teachers adjudged to have passed test conducted by Kaduna government.
However, SUBEB has advised any teacher that is not satisfied with the exercise to approach the Board as a committee has been put in place address all complaints arising thereof, adding that those who passed the test are certified by government as competent and qualified to deliver quality education and learning to pupils.
Speaking on the State Executive Council’s approval, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Mr Nasiru Umar, assured that the committee will address all issues arising from the controversial competency test, especially those doubting the results.
According to him, the notice for new teachers’ recruitment indicates that applicants must possess relevant educational certificates, including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN)’s certification.
Umar debunked claims that the exercise has lots of political undertone, adding that those who failed the test have another opportunity of re-applying and undergoing the new recruitment process.
Umar urged individuals and groups to shun mixing politics with current reforms in the State education system, assuring that government is concerned with reviving its education system, especially in the rural communities.
Giving further clarifications of the imminent sack of teachers in the State, the SUBEB chief stated that; “33,000 primary school teachers sat for the competency tests agreed upon by all stakeholders including Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT). 21,780 scored below 75 per cent. We conducted the test because we went round and discovered that the schools were in bad shape. Some teachers cannot even speak English.”
According to him, the regrettable thing is the inability of some of the teachers to improve themselves by responding to training, adding that “We release the names of those who scored 75 and above. Three months’ notice will be given to those who failed the competency test for disengagement. All teachers including the ones who failed the test should go back to duty tomorrow Monday and wait further directives.”
Umar also hinted that teachers who have served above five years will be sent on compulsory retirement while those below five years in service will be disengaged, adding that; “We presented the results to the committee involving the NUT, Teachers Council of Nigeria among others. The NUT wanted the pass mark to be 60. All the stakeholders including NUT, teachers’ council of Nigeria were involved in the competency test.”
“We agreed that only 40 teachers in a class during the exams. After exams we invited those who marked NECO and WAEC to mark the test and it was a conference hall marking. Nobody was allowed to go home with the scripts. After that, we brought in Kaduna State University professionals, we also brought in a foreign organisation and they analysed the tests.”
Insisting that the days of political office holders sharing slots of teachers’ appointments among themselves are over, Umar said; “This time around, government is determined to employ competent teachers as part of efforts to revive education in Kaduna State.”
