Sanjo Adedoyin Calls for Urgent Need for More Primary School Teachers in Oyo State

…. as House screened nine commissioner nominees

The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, held a crucial session to screen and certify the eligibility of nine commissioner nominees sent by His Excellency Engr. Sey Makinde. The screening exercises were conducted meticulously, and all the nominees showcased impressive credentials and rich backgrounds, qualifying them for the role of commissioners in the state.

The atmosphere in the assembly hall was tense with anticipation as each nominee went through the rigorous screening process. After thorough evaluations, all nine nominees were found to meet the necessary criteria, and the House gave them a unanimous green light, instructing them to “bow and go,” signifying their approval for appointment.

However, the highlight of the sitting was not just the successful screening of commissioner nominees as a motion was also moved by the representative of Ogbomoso South State Constituency, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin on “Urgent Public Importance”, following the confirmation. 

MOUTHPIECE NGR reports that this motion, co-sponsored by Hon. Adeola Bamidele O., who represents Iseyin State Constituency, addressed the pressing issue of the shortage of public primary school teachers in the state and its potential impact on the education system.

In his passionate address, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin emphasized the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the minds of young learners and expressed concern about the alarming shortage of educators in public primary schools across the state. He highlighted the fact that the last recruitment of teachers to primary schools occurred in 2014, leading to an increasing number of retirements without adequate replacements.

Providing statistical evidence, Hon. Adedoyin revealed that between 2019 and June 2023, 4527 primary school teachers had retired, and an additional 267 teachers were set to retire in July, leaving a total of 4994 vacant positions. He explained that this mass retirement was due to the 1988 recruitment of primary school teachers into public service, with many reaching their mandatory 35-year service limit this year.

Furthermore, the lawmaker pointed out that even before this mass retirement, there had been a persistent shortage of teachers in the state’s primary education system. The current vacuum in teacher positions, combined with the recent retirements, poses a significant challenge to maintaining the quality of education in primary schools.

In response to the motion, the floor was opened for debate, and several honorable members commended Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin for bringing this critical issue to light. Lawmakers from various constituencies, including Ibadan South West 1, Akinyele 2, Ibadan North East 2, Akinyele 1, Ido, and Ibadan South West 2, shared their experiences and observations, highlighting the necessity of urgently addressing the shortage of teachers.

Ultimately, the motion was adopted, and the House passed a resolution directing the executive arm, through the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), to take immediate action in employing qualified teachers to fill the existing vacancies in primary schools across the state.

Safeguarding the educational policy of the present administration was deemed paramount, and the resolution will be forwarded to the relevant authorities for prompt action.

The sitting concluded with a sense of urgency to tackle the shortage of primary school teachers and ensure the continued growth and development of the education sector in Oyo State. 

This significant step taken by the House of Assembly reflects their commitment to address critical challenges facing the state and prioritize the well-being of its citizens.