The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday cancelled the proposed competency test for teachers in the state.
The governor has also recalled the 936 teachers, whose name were deleted from the payroll over certificate discrepancies and age falsification and announced the immediate extension of the relativity allowance to teachers in the state public schools, according to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria.
Oshiomhole, who disclosed this during a meeting with the teachers’ unions and the Nigeria Labour Congress, explained that it was obvious to his administration that the future of the state rested on the level of quality investment in the state’s educational sector.
He said, “On assumption of office, it was very clear to me and my colleagues that our future is defined by the level of investment in education and the quality of the basic education we provide for our children.
“That is why we have devoted resources to the rebuilding of our primary schools, junior and senior secondary schools.
“For me, it was clear coming from my own background, I had obligation to restore dignity to the educational sector in the state. Basic Education is like the foundation of a house. If the foundation is weak, the building will collapse; but if the foundation be strong, it will withstand the test of time. It is easier to re-roof than to re build a complete house.”
The governor noted that the need to ensure the future of the state by not compromising the future of the Edo child necessitated the action to redefine the educational system in the state.
He said that the state government’s commitment to carry out the competency test was informed by these broad facts, having discovered that some of the teachers were not qualified or up to date with recent teaching methods.
He noted that such reasons prompted the government’s insistence on the fact that the competency test must be seen in that light.
“However, having listened to all suggestions and consultations with various groups, the government has agreed to set aside the Competency or Assessment test in order to reassure Edo workers that the government has no intention to sack anyone,” the governor said.
