The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the recruitment of 2,100 new personnel to strengthen the staff capacity of senior secondary schools across the state.
This recruitment drive includes the hiring of 1,800 teachers, 100 non-teaching staff, and 200 security personnel. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of education and improve the safety of students, with a particular focus on rural areas where the shortage of qualified teachers has been a longstanding challenge.
Malam Bello Abubakar, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), made this announcement in a statement released on Friday in Ilorin, the state capital. He highlighted that the recruitment effort is primarily targeted at addressing the critical shortage of educators in rural communities, which has significantly impacted the delivery of quality education in these areas.
According to Abubakar, applications for the positions will be conducted exclusively online. Applicants are required to hold specific qualifications to be considered. These qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed), or a university degree in relevant disciplines (B.Sc., B.A) accompanied by a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) or a National Certificate in Education (NCE).
The Chairman stressed that only individuals who meet these educational requirements will be invited to proceed to subsequent stages of the recruitment process. Those lacking the specified credentials will be automatically disqualified.
The Recruitment Process
The recruitment exercise will place particular emphasis on hiring teachers for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which are considered essential for the state’s educational and developmental goals.
In addition, teachers for Arts and Commercial subjects will also be recruited to ensure a balanced workforce across different disciplines. Abubakar revealed that the application portal would detail the subject areas being prioritised, and only candidates with expertise in these subjects are encouraged to apply.
Furthermore, the screening process will be meticulously designed to bridge the human resource gap in rural schools. To ensure the safety and well-being of students, shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo mandatory drug testing. This measure reflects the state government’s commitment to combating drug abuse and creating a safe learning environment for students.
Abubakar issued a stern warning to applicants, cautioning that any display of unprofessional conduct at any stage of the recruitment process would lead to immediate disqualification. He assured that the entire exercise would be conducted transparently, aligning with the government’s broader efforts to improve education standards in Kwara State.
This initiative underscores the state’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues in its educational sector, particularly in underserved rural areas, and ensuring that every child has access to quality education delivered by competent and dedicated professionals.
