The Edo State Universal Basic Education Board has employed 5,500 teachers in compliance with a demand from Governor Godwin Obaseki.

In Benin on Friday, 16 August 2024, Ozavize Salami, the Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB, declared that the recruitment goals are to improve teaching and learning in Edo schools and alleviate the lack of teachers in the education system.

According to Salami, the teachers who passed a stringent hiring procedure would cover gaps in basic and junior secondary education throughout the state. She reported that 16,038 of the 19,931 applicants who applied for the teaching posts were selected for computer-based assessments and interviews.

Salami continued by saying that the chosen applicants will be employed in all of the state’s local government districts if they have the requisite training and experience.

She further said “This recruitment of 5,500 personnel is part of our strategy to close the teacher gap in primary and junior secondary schools,” It is just more evidence of Governor Obaseki’s steadfast dedication to provide Edo State children with a top-notch education.

“A large number of the incoming teachers are young and vibrant; they will energize the existing staff. Governor Obaseki keeps putting policies into place that will maintain Edo’s standing as a pioneer in educational reform in Nigeria and abroad.

Salama added, More than 70% of EdoSTAR fellows who were involved as trainee teachers two years ago have been employed as full-time government teachers. After receiving minimum wage at first, these fellows will receive an increase in salary in May 2024, going from ₦40,000 to ₦70,000.

She disclosed that out of the 5,500 newly recruited, 2,500 will work as government teachers permanently, while the remaining 3,000 will fill approved EdoSTAR positions and begin a new three-year fellowship program. To further support and maintain the EdoBEST program, 125 qualified education managers will be employed.

This recruitment is in line with Governor Obaseki to build on the program’s successes to improve learning results for almost 400,000 children in state-owned primary and junior secondary schools throughout Edo State.