From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has rescinded his position to set competency tests for teachers in the state and has also recalled all 936 teachers whose names were initially deleted from the payroll over certificate discrepancies and false age declaration.
Oshiomhole who announced the decision during a meeting with the teachers’ union, also announced the immediate extention of the gesture to teachers in the state public schools.
He explained that his commitment to carry out competency tests for teachers in the state was borne out of the need to ensure a solid foundation for basic education, by bringing teachers up to date with recent teaching methods.
“Having listened to all suggestions and consultations with various groups, government has agreed to set aside the competency or assessment test in order to reassure Edo workers that government has no intention to sack anyone,” the governor said.
He announced that in place of the competency test, government will introduce training and re-training for teachers and all other civil servants in the state, promising that welfare package will be provided during the training exercise.
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He added, “On the teachers with falsified age declaration with criminal intentions to cheat, government has resolved to pardon them and retire those whose records show that pthey are above 60 years while those below 60 years are to return to the classroom with their names returned to the payroll and will benefit from the training programme.”
Responding, the labour leaders expressed gratitude to the governor and pledged to give full support to his administration.