Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has revealed that about 80% of illegally recruited secondary school teachers in the state are unable to write acceptance letters, casting doubt on their qualifications and competence.
Governor Sule made this disclosure during a meeting with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Government House in Lafia.
He firmly stated that his administration would not regularize the employment of unqualified teachers hired illegally by the recently suspended Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC).
The Governor’s Stand on Illegally Recruited Teachers
In response to CAN’s plea to absorb the affected teachers, Sule explained that retaining them would compromise the state’s educational standards.
> “I understand your concerns, Reverend. But how can we improve our education system if we employ unqualified individuals? Some of these teachers can’t even write basic acceptance letters. Hiring them is not just a disservice to our children but a setback to our reform goals,” the governor remarked.
He further noted that some individuals paid exorbitant sums, between ₦600,000 and ₦700,000, to secure teaching jobs, despite lacking the necessary qualifications.
Reforming Nasarawa’s Education System
Governor Sule highlighted the progress made since he took office in 2019. His administration conducted a baseline survey of the education sector, resulting in efforts to improve infrastructure, revise curricula, and recruit 1,000 qualified teachers.
However, the TSC exceeded its mandate by hiring over 1,000 additional teachers, many of whom were unqualified. Sule emphasized the importance of hiring based on merit and competency, rejecting the practice of nepotism and favoritism.
Addressing Rural Education Needs
The governor expressed concern over the reluctance of some teachers to work in rural areas, opting instead to stay in urban centers like Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi.
> “Our rural schools are suffering because some teachers refuse postings to villages like Toto or Gudi. This urban concentration undermines the essence of equitable education,” he added.
To address the irregularities, Governor Sule announced plans to conduct fresh interviews for all teachers, including the 1,000 initially approved recruits. This will ensure that only qualified candidates are selected, fostering fairness and meritocracy.
> “My goal is to fix Nasarawa’s education system, and that requires honesty and doing the right thing.
We cannot compromise our future by tolerating incompetence,” he stated.
For more updates on Nasarawa’s education reforms, visit NIGPOST.
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