By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
KOGI State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to urgently address the acute shortage of teachers by recruiting and deploying more teachers to primary schools in Ijumu Constituency and across the state.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Omotayo Adeleye Ishaya (APC-Ijumu) highlighting the urgent need to redress the shortage of teachers across schools in the state.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Ishaya underscored the central and critical position of education as a single most powerful tool and bedrock for societal development, progress peace and prosperity.
She commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his administration’s reforms in the education sector but stressed that the manpower gap in Ijumu requires prompt attention.
“Mr. Speaker, during my recent visits to a number of primary schools in my constituency, I had the opportunity to observe the realities on the ground.
“In several schools, a few dedicated teachers are managing multiple classes with remarkable commitment and resilience.
“In some others, volunteer staff and NYSC members have stepped in to support teaching efforts, ensuring that learning continues despite existing manpower gaps”, she revealed.
She therefore prayed government to recruit and deploy qualified teachers to Ijumu and other parts of Kogi State, improve teachers’ welfare and provide better learning environments, including classrooms and materials.
Hon. Ishaya also urged the State Government to identify and redeploy trained and experienced teachers transferred SUBEB, SSSS Board, MDAs, other establishments and LGAs back to the classroom where their services are most needed
The motion was seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Abbas (APC-Ankpa II) and supported by several members including Hon. Olawumi Jacob (APC-Mopa-Muro), who described the situation as “A crisis for the soul of the Educational system.”
Ruling on the motion, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf warned that tertiary institutions would not thrive if Primary and Secondary Education, expected to feed them, are allowed to collapse.
Against this backdrop, the Speaker directed that chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) be invited to explain reasons for the dearth of teachers and to explain why teachers approved for reabsorption have not been reinstated.
The House also summoned the state Commissioner for Education to explain why the Ministry failed to recruit the over 3,000 teachers approved for recruitment by the State Government.
It would be recalled that in 2023, former Governor Yahaya Bello gave approval for the recruitment of 3,979 teachers but only 1,108 teachers were actually recruited making shortage of teachers in schools to remain a major challenge. (Ends)