Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday approved the recall and revalidation of 1,000 teachers who were recruited in 2023 for public schools across the state.
The swift decision follows scathing criticism from the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly regarding the deteriorating condition of public education and a significant shortage of teaching staff.
The governor’s directive was disclosed in a public announcement issued by the Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Sam Ogeh. Ogeh confirmed that the governor instructed the immediate revalidation of the 1,000 teachers to address the critical manpower gap in the schools.
Framing the move as a commitment to educational welfare, Ogeh quoted the governor as acting “In fulfillment of his promise to bridge the manpower gap in public schools across Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of new teachers across the state.
He further detailed the immediate action required: “As part of this initiative, His Excellency has directed the revalidation of the 1000 teachers recruited in 2023. To this end, all the affected teachers are required to report to the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board for the revalidation exercise.” The exercise is scheduled to hold on Wednesday at the RSUBEB State Office in Port Harcourt.
The governor’s decision comes just one day after the State Assembly deliberated on a report by its Chairman on the House Committee on Education, Aforji Igwe. During the session, the Assembly harshly criticized the executive arm, accusing it of paying lip service to the education sector and refusing to employ more teachers.
Speaker of the Assembly, Amaewhule, joined the condemnation after Igwe’s committee reported on the decaying infrastructure observed at the Township State School 1 and 2 in Port Harcourt. Amaewhule argued that the immediate past Administrator of the State, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.), left behind about N600 billion before his exit and wondered why such funds could not be channelled to fix the dilapidated school infrastructure.
The Speaker also highlighted the chronic understaffing issues, noting inadequate teachers in schools, giving an example of a teacher tutoring two different classes in the same classroom, apart from schools not having toilets, and others not having electricity.
In response to the critique, Governor Fubara countered that the decaying school infrastructure predates his administration. He also noted that the six-month emergency rule imposed in the state also affected the pace of rectification work. While promising to prioritize the recruitment of teachers and doctors, the governor maintained his commitment to merit, saying he would not give in to any call for employment on political grounds or patronage.
