15th June, 2016
Mr Greg Esheye, a lecturer at the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, has called for transparency in the recruitment of the 500, 000 teachers approved by the Federal Government.
He made the call on Wednesday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for coming up with the initiative, saying the exercise would provide job to teeming unemployed youths and reduce youth restiveness.
He said that the recruitment would also boost teaching and learning at primary and secondary school levels.
Esheye, who is the Chairman of the College’s chapter of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), urged the federal
government to ensure equal spread in the recruitment.
“The directive by President Buhari to recruit 500,000 teachers is a commendable initiative that will help tackle youth unemployment, boost teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools as well as reduce youth restiveness.
“Those charged with the responsibility of organising the recruitment should ensure that they observe due process and transparency in conducting the exercise.
“Let there be equal spread of opportunities among the 36 States and the FCT in line with the Federal character principle,” Esheye said.
He warned that politicians should not be allowed to hijack the exercise by recruiting people without the requisite teaching qualifications.
“The government should ensure that necessary instruments are put in place to guard against manipulation of the exercise by politicians for their selfish gains.”
Buhari in a nationwide broadcast on May 29 to mark the administration’s one in office announced that the federal government would recruit 500,000 teachers as part of the strategy to reduce the unemployment among graduates.