The Kaduna State Government is taking a bold step to bridge the gap in its public schools by announcing its intention to hire 10,000 teachers for basic education. This move aims to tackle the shortage of educators in the state’s public schools, according to Prof. Mohammed Bello, the Commissioner of Education.
During a reflection meeting on the implementation of teacher recruitment, deployment, and retention policy, Prof. Bello revealed that the Ministry of Education has an updated annual school census, which highlights the schools experiencing a scarcity of teachers. Additionally, the state plans to collaborate with relevant agencies to enhance the deployment and retention of teachers in conflict-affected areas.
In addressing the challenges faced by public schools, the ministry proposed solutions such as the implementation of digital learning. Moreover, the government is focused on resolving the issue of teachers leaving rural areas by providing long-term solutions. This includes training teachers in conflict-prone regions on early warning signs of insecurity, supported by organizations like UNICEF. Furthermore, efforts are being made to improve security around schools in identified local government areas by deploying military personnel.
The Kaduna State Teachers Service Board has already recruited 7,600 teachers, in line with the teacher policy, reflecting its commitment to addressing the state’s educational needs. Joy Oballum, a Senior Education Specialist with Oxford Policy Management, commended the state and its stakeholders for their efforts and emphasized the importance of ongoing research for continuous improvement of the policy.
The study was funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) with a focus on educational research in conflict and crisis-affected settings. The research, led by the international rescue committee, aims to generate robust evidence to support children’s learning in such challenging environments.
This initiative demonstrates Kaduna State’s commitment to enhancing its educational system and ensuring that every child has access to quality education despite the prevailing challenges.
