The Oyo State Government is set to commence the distribution of appointment letters to 5,600 newly recruited basic school teachers, marking a significant step towards bolstering the state’s educational workforce. The distribution, scheduled to begin on Monday, January 6, 2025, will take place at the Universal Basic Education offices located within each local government area across the state. This initiative aims to address the teacher shortage prevalent in many rural areas, stemming from retirements and other attrition factors, and fulfill Governor Seyi Makinde’s campaign promise to improve education, particularly in underserved communities. These new recruits represent the first batch of a larger recruitment drive, with a total of 7,000 successful candidates anticipated to join the state’s teaching ranks. The appointments are effective from January 1st, 2025, signifying the government’s commitment to promptly integrating these educators into the system.
Nureni Adeniran, Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptability in the teaching profession during a meeting with Education Secretaries in Ibadan, the state capital. He urged the incoming teachers to embrace modern pedagogical techniques and approaches to effectively impart knowledge to their students. Adeniran stressed the need for these educators to be “teachers for this age and the game-changing teachers for the future,” highlighting the crucial role they will play in revolutionizing the basic education sub-sector. The chairman also reiterated the board’s zero tolerance policy towards examination malpractices, underscoring the ethical responsibility entrusted to these educators.
Addressing the distribution of teachers across the state, Adeniran acknowledged an existing imbalance in teacher deployment. He noted that some local governments currently have a surplus of teachers, while others face significant shortages. To rectify this disparity, the board plans to implement a redistribution strategy to ensure equitable allocation of teaching resources across all local government areas. This approach seeks to optimize the utilization of teaching personnel and provide all students with access to qualified educators, regardless of their location within the state.
Special provisions have been made for teachers under the category of People With Disabilities and applicants for the position of carers. These individuals are required to visit the Board headquarters in Agodi to collect their appointment letters. This personalized approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and its recognition of the unique needs of these individuals. It ensures a smooth and accessible onboarding process for all new recruits, regardless of their individual circumstances.
Beyond teacher recruitment, the Oyo State Government has also made significant investments in infrastructure development for basic and junior secondary schools. Adeniran revealed that the Seyi Makinde administration has disbursed N2.5 billion as a counterpart fund for the 2022 and 2023 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects. This financial commitment underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing the learning environment and providing students with access to quality facilities. The investment in infrastructure complements the recruitment drive, creating a comprehensive approach to improving the overall quality of education in the state.
The chairman commended Governor Makinde for approving the appointments, recognizing the significance of filling vacant teaching positions to strengthen the education sector. He lauded the governor’s intervention in the sub-sector, stating that it has propelled Oyo State to the forefront among its peers in terms of educational development. Adeniran also extended his congratulations to the newly recruited teachers, advising them to uphold the highest professional ethics and adhere to the code of conduct expected of educators. This emphasis on ethical conduct underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism within the teaching profession. The chairman’s words of encouragement and guidance aim to inspire the new recruits to embrace their roles with dedication and commitment, contributing to the ongoing efforts to elevate the standard of education in Oyo State.
