Only 600 out of the over 8,000 applicants passed the aptitude test organised by the Nasarawa State government for the recruitment of 1,000 primary school teachers.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba, disclosed this during the state government’s bimonthly Press briefing in Lafia.
He said that the rigorous process, handled by an independent consulting firm to ensure maximum transparency produced results but well below the state’s targeted manpower needs.
Hon Ahemba explained that the recruitment drive was conceptualised by Governor Sule as an intervention to address the shortage of educators in the state’s underserved areas.
”Recently, His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State, gave approval for the recruitment of an additional 1,000 primary school teachers under the umbrella of rural teachers.
“It is actually a rural scheme where all the teachers to be recruited will be posted in our rural areas to take care of the manpower needs in those places,” Ahemba stated.
Aaccording to him, government received over 10,000 applications from holders of the National Certificate in Education (NCE), university degrees, and diplomas out of which 8,000 candidates sat for the screening examination.
”Out of this 8,000 that participated, only 600 passed the examination. Only 600 out of 8,000 that participated passed the examination, and that is actually below the number the government is looking for,” he said.
He said the consulting firm employed by the government has handed the results back to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to determine the next phase of the process.
Addressing reports of political pressure and influence-peddling, the government issued a stern warning to individuals attempting to bypass the merit-based system by submitting lists of preferred candidates.
Ahemba praised the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Kassim Muhammad, for maintaining integrity, adding that the administration will completely reject external interference.
”I want to warn sincerely that there will be no room whatsoever for any sharp practices as far as this recruitment exercise is concerned. If you are one of those who have presented any list or are willing or intending to present any list of cronies for consideration, I want to tell you that you are at the wrong place,” he said.
Hon Ahemba also announced the state government’s massive structural upgrades for public schools, saying that the government has granted approval for the construction of a three-story classroom block in each of the state’s three senatorial zones: Keffi, Akwanga, and Lafia.
He said as a reward for Nasarawa’s consistent funding of primary education, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of three Federal Model Schools across the same zones.
Ahemba also announced a strict new policy banning recreational activities on school grounds to curb vandalism.
”The State Universal Basic Education Board has abolished the practice where football matches or whatever are played within school premises. This is because we have observed that that practice has contributed to causing damage to public facilities,”he said.
He noted that Governor Sule has awarded contracts for the construction of five mini-stadia across the state, adding that contractors are expected to mobilise to the sites within the week.
”The state has cleared its counterpart funding with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), paving the way for immediate bidding processes for the large-scale renovation of schools and the procurement of learning materials state-wide”, he stated.
The governor’s spokesperson provided updates on ongoing multi-million naira infrastructural developments aimed at easing gridlock and boosting economic corridors.
He said the two flyovers in the Karu Local Government Area have reached an advanced stage, saying Governor Sule recently inspected the sites to enforce compliance with contractual terms.
”The Keffi flyover is nearing completion, while the Akwanga flyover and its dualised feeder roads have already been officially commissioned by federal representatives.
” A new phase of inter-community road contracts has been approved. The first phase will link rural and semi-urban communities across Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, Garaku, Toto, and Gadabuke.
”This government is committed to ensuring the provision of basic social amenities for our citizens, because our citizens deserve nothing less than good governance.And when you talk about good governance, it has to do with taking development to the doorsteps of our citizens,” Ahemba said.
