Gov Zulum Flags Off Second Phase Training For 781 Teachers In Borno

 

By Gbenga Akingbule

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Monday, in Bama Local  Government Council flagged off Phase 2 of training for teachers in the state to make them better positioned towards transforming the education sector.

Gatekeepers News reports that another set of 1,949 teachers had two weeks ago commenced similar training in Biu Local Government Atea of the state.

The aim of the special training according to the state government is to bring the teachers up to speed with the required knowledge and qualify them to earn the minimum wage being paid to teachers in the state.

Many of the teachers had failed to meet up with the 2019 Verification and the 2022 competency tests organized by the Zulum-led administration.

However, the Zulum-led administration thinks that the three months of training held in different parts of the state will go a long way in correcting the deficiency of the teachers.

Prof. Zulum who was represented by the deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur also presented cheques of N783 million for disbursement for the three-month exercise at Bama College of Education, the venue of the training.

Hon Kadafur said, “The programme underscores the pragmatic policy initiative of this Government in the critical sector of education, as such, is quite appropriate and timely.

“You may recall that on Monday, 6th May 2024, we unveiled phase 1 of this significant programme with one thousand nine hundred and forty-nine (1,949) teachers from 27 Local Government Areas. This initiative is part of the Government’s broader commitment to improving the quality of education in the State, as outlined during the inauguration of the Local Government Education Secretaries on March, 19th 2024.

“It is strategically pertinent to note that the Government allocated a substantial sum of one billion naira (N1 Billion) for the training of 2,730 teachers. These educators will undergo rigorous training at both the College of Education Waka-Biu and Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and
Technology Bama.

“The duration of the program is three months, covering one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four (1,884) teachers through a sandwich programme and eight hundred and
forty-six (846) teachers through a full-time NCE program.

“It may interest you to note that this initiative aims to address issues of remuneration, retention and most importantly the competency of our teachers in line with national standards.

“The program is free of charge and each participant is entitled to an N30,000.00 monthly stipend, in addition to their regular salaries. Those enrolled in full-time NCE programs will attain automatic in-service status.

“On this note, let me use this medium to urge the participants to approach this opportunity with utmost dedication and seriousness, knowing fully well that successful completion of the program and passing the competency test will lead to a review of wages.

“To ensure adequate preparation, the Ministry of Education has been directed to release an additional sum of fifty thousand naira (N50,000) to all participants”. Kadafur stated.

The Commissioner of  Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Wakilbe while commending Governor Zulum and all stakeholders for repositioning the sector, added that the ceremony is a pivotal step in the journey toward revitalizing basic education in the state.

The  Commissioner explained that the Needs Assessment carried out in 2021, which prompted the competency test for teachers across the state between 5th through 20th January 2022 revealed the deficiency of some teachers.

Wakilbe noted that “the outcome of the test revealed that Five thousand Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven (5,257) individuals passed, Six Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty-seven (6,227) were considered trainable, and Four Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty-Nine (4,339) were found to be untrainable.

“The challenges facing basic education in our state have reached critical levels, particularly following the cessation of the direct absorption of Primary School teachers from their Teachers’ Colleges.

“The absence of a structured employment framework has led to various issues, including discrepancies in salary scales and the recruitment of

underqualified personnel. Consequently, the Borno State Government has been confronted with significant challenges in teacher recruitment, remuneration, and retention.

“Therefore, decisive measures have been taken to address these challenges, especially the authorization granted for the Ministry of Education to reassign untrained personnel from Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) to alternative roles, freeing up positions for qualified individuals.

“Secondly, a comprehensive assessment of manpower requirements within the LGEAs has been authorized, leading to the employment of suitable candidates to meet those needs. Lastly, plans for Phase III of the teacher training program have been initiated, encompassing individuals with Diplomas and those unable to participate in the initial training phase.

“Additionally, arrangements are underway for further education and development programs through the Institute of Education at Borno

State University (BOSU) for eligible personnel.” Wakilbe stated.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Bulama Kagu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hyelni Mshelia lauded Governor Zulum for magnanimously ordering the lifting of the embargo on promotions across the Civil Service, including teachers.

“Borno SUBEB has taken decisive steps to implement this executive order. First, the management issued a circular to all former education secretaries, urging them to urgently compile authenticate, and submit the list of all deserving teaching and non-teaching staff due for promotions.

“Secondly, the management constituted an ad hoc committee to screen and verify submissions from the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs). However, a change in leadership within the LGEAs necessitated another circular from the management to the new education secretaries to revalidate and Submit the earlier list.

“This process is ongoing, and I urge all our education secretaries to expedite their actions.

“Thirdly, the management has written through the Honourable Commissioner to the Deputy Director of Statistics, Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, requesting the submission of the list of NCE and graduate teachers with their current salary scales for appropriate placement, considering their experience and years of service.

“Once this data is collated, the committee will expeditiously work on it and submit it to the management for the board’s consideration and, ultimately, for government approval.

“Presently, 5,408 teachers are on their qualifications. We have 3,096 teachers with NCE qualifications, of whom 1,907 are already appropriately placed.

“Another 1,189 require upgrading and will be placed on GL 07 step 1 immediately. We have 1,032 degree holders, of whom 324 are appropriately placed, while 708 teachers with degrees will be upgraded immediately to GL 08 step 1. Seven teachers hold master’s degrees, and only one needs upgrading,” Mshelia said.