Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the recall and revalidation of 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023, a move aimed at addressing the growing manpower shortage in the state’s public schools.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Sam Ogeh, who said the governor’s directive was part of efforts to improve learning conditions across schools in the state.
According to Ogeh, the affected teachers have been asked to report to the RSUBEB office at Elechi Beach, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday for a revalidation exercise.
This development comes just a day after the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, sharply criticised Fubara for what it described as poor learning conditions and neglect of the education sector.
During deliberations, lawmakers accused the executive arm of “paying lip service” to education and failing to hire enough teachers to manage overcrowded classrooms. The criticism followed a visit by the House Committee on Education to Township State School 1 and 2 on Moscow Road, where committee chairman Aforji Igwe highlighted the deplorable state of the facilities.
Speaker Amaewhule further argued that the previous state administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.), handed over about ₦600 billion, questioning why such funds were not being used to address the crumbling infrastructure. He noted that some schools lacked toilets and electricity, while others relied on a single teacher handling two classes at once.
Responding to the backlash, Governor Fubara explained that many of the infrastructural challenges predate his administration. He added that the six-month emergency rule earlier imposed on the state slowed down efforts to carry out repairs and improvements.
Fubara, however, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the education and health sectors, promising to prioritise the recruitment of teachers and doctors. He stressed that employment would not be influenced by politics or patronage.
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