••• Newly employed Pry School Teachers not enough – Govt Official
More facts have emerged on how 1,100 Primary Teachers were given employment by the Ondo State government through the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday approved the employment of One thousand One hundred teachers by Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, (ODSUBEB) as part of efforts to fill critical vacancies in public primary schools across the State.
Aiyedatiwa gave the directive after the completion of the recruitment process.
Though, Aiyedatiwa has been receiving accolades from all quarters for doing what his predecessors had failed to do, the problem facing the primary education in the state is far from being addressed.
Roving Reporters gathered that when the recruitment process started in 2024, over 32,000 applicants applied to be employed and at the end of the process, 7,200 passed the examinations out of which the SUBEB picked 1,100 successful candidates, though the yardsticks used to pick the final list has not been verified.
Speaking with Roving Reporters, a government official who pleaded anonymity commended the state government for taking the bold steps.
He however said the 1,100 teachers selected for employment would not address the lingering challenges facing the primary education sector in Ondo State.
The source said the gap in the primary schools in terms of inadequate teachers is so wide that the 1,100 employed can not be enough.
He said, “Primary schools are more in the state than secondary schools. We have over 1,100 primary schools in the state and giving both primary and secondary schools the same number of newly employed teachers would not address the challenges facing the primary school system in the state.
“For example, in some local government areas in the Southern Senatorial district of the state, there are schools where one teacher is teaching from primary one to primary six, especially in the riverine areas. Primary schools need more than 1,100 teachers
“We expect those advising governor Aiyedatiwa to look into this, it cannot be equal, it won’t reflect anything positive. I know what I am saying. You can carry out your investigation to confirm my claims.
“I would have suggested that government increase the number of those that would be employed because the gap in the primary schools is very terrible.
“As at 2024, about 580 teachers retired from the primary schools. In 2025, about 480 teachers would be retiring so the 1,100 would not have any effect and the children would be suffering because it is getting worse.
“Ideally, there should be a kind of consequencial recruitment so that as some teachers are retiring, they should immediately replace them with new teachers.
“The gap is getting wider and the government, especially the past governors did not show much interest in addressing issues that have to do with the future of the state.
“The Ondo State government is doing a wonderful job with rehabilitation of primary schools through SUBEB but who is going to teach in those those beautiful structures.
“Look at Osun State Governor, he employed over 5,000 Primary school Teachers, but 1,100 here is not enough.
“And if the governor Aiyedatiwa is conscious of the huge wage bill that might be involved, he should block the loopholes and wastages in the civil service.
“All the political appointees that have nothing to do should also be sacked so that we can secure the future of these children.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa should please understand that primary education is key and fundamental. Once you get it right with primary school level, you will get it right from there.”
