By Amos Aar
BARELY two weeks after National Record published Part 1 of its investigative report on the poor condition of secondary schools in Benue State, the State Teaching Service Board (TSB) has advertised for the recruitment of 1,500 teachers for public secondary schools across the state.
Parts 2 and 3, as well as photo news of the investigative report detailing the incredible dilapidation of the state’s public and grant-aided secondary schools were brought to public knowledge and exposing the danger facing education in the state.
Following the publication of Part 2 of the investigative report, state-owned Radio Benue, Makurdi, reported that Governor Samuel Ortom had directed the Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB) to recruit four hundred and fifty (450) teachers into public secondary schools with immediate effect.
The state-owned broadcast station said Governor Ortom made the pronouncement at a meeting with traditional rulers from Massev, Iharev, Nongov Development Association (MINDA) at Government House, Makurdi on 29th August, 2022.
Following this announcement, the TSB, in a public notice dated Friday, September 3, 2022, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr Frank Kyungun, announced that 1,500 teachers are to be recruited as replacement for secondary schools and Colleges under TSB.
National Record was not able to confirm if the 450 announced by Governor Ortom is included in the 1,500. According to the public notice, the teachers are to be recruited for all categories of subjects – Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English Language and Literature, Information and Communication Technology, Physical and Health Education, Basic Science, History, Economics, Fine Arts, Idoma and Tiv Languages.
The notice, entitled; “Replacement of professional teachers/instructors for Secondary Schools and Colleges under Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB),” reads:
“Sequel to the approval of one thousand five hundred (N1,500) teachers at the Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB) by the State Executive Council, Tuesday August 16th, 2022, the Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education announces recruitment of qualified teachers/instructors for Secondary Schools/Colleges under the board in the following areas: (i) Mathematics, (ii) Chemistry, (iii) Physics, (iv) Biology, (v) English Language and Literature, (vi) Information and Communication Technology (ICT), (vii) Physical and Health Education, (viii) Basic Science, (ix) History, (x) Geography, (xi) Economics, (xii) Fine Arts, (xiii) Idoma and Tiv Language.
“Qualified and interested applicants who must be holders of NCE, Bachelor of Education (B.ED) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in relevant specialized fields can visit the Ministry of Education’s website on: www.moe.be.ng to apply.
“Closing date for all applications is 19th September, 2022.
“Applicants should refer to the Voice Newspaper of Monday 5th September, 2022 or check online at www.thevoicenewspaper.ng.
“Note: applicants with Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TCRN) will be on advantage.”
Apart from dilapidated structures, the inadequacy of teachers in Benue secondary schools was one of the major challenges reported by National Record in the three-part report that was concluded last week.
