Ekiti State Government has announced plans to recruit 1,500 teachers into public primary and basic schools across the state as part of efforts to strengthen basic education and improve learning outcomes.

The Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Femi Akinwumi, said the recruitment exercise, which has commenced with the online application, would be conducted in a transparent, fair and merit-based manner, assuring applicants that every candidate would enjoy equal opportunity.

Akinwumi disclosed this on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti during the interactive radio S’etigbo multicast programme organised by the Bureau of Community Communications.

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According to him, the recruitment exercise will be conducted through a Computer-Based Test (CBT), while successful applicants will be deployed to schools within their respective communities to address teacher shortages, particularly at the grassroots.

He explained that the community-based approach is designed to ensure stability in public schools, adding that successful applicants would be required to sign an undertaking to remain in their communities for at least five years before applying for transfer.

“I believe in transparency and honesty because that is the watchword of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. I also value my integrity, and I don’t want anything that will tarnish my reputation.

“I want to assure Ekiti people that the recruitment exercise will be transparent. There will be no hanky-panky. The process will be conducted through CBT for everyone to see, and every qualified applicant will have a fair chance,” he said.

The SUBEB chairman noted that the recruitment drive is aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning in public schools by ensuring adequate staffing.

He said, “When we recruit more teachers, we are investing in the future of our children. With sufficient teachers in our schools, pupils will receive better attention, which will ultimately improve the quality of education.”

Akinwumi also highlighted the state’s impressive performance in the basic education sector, stating that Ekiti SUBEB remains one of the best-performing basic education boards in Nigeria due to the state government’s consistent payment of counterpart funds and sustained investment in education.

He expressed optimism that the continued investment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration in public schools would further enhance the standard of basic education and make government-owned schools the preferred choice for parents across the state.