The Federal Government has announced plans to hire 3,500 teachers to enhance the educational standards across Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, gave the update during a two-day National Stakeholders’ Forum focused on Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria.
The forum titled “Revitalising Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria for Global Competitiveness” gathered education stakeholders to address the challenges in the country’s secondary education system.
Sununu highlighted that the recruitment would play a crucial role in elevating the quality of education.
“I assure you that the Ministry is collaborating with the Office of the Head of Service, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government organs to recruit 3,500 teaching staff for our federal government colleges nationwide.
This will enhance the quality of education. Additionally, the Ministry has organised extensive training and retraining for all staff in schools,” he stated.
In addition to recruitment, the Ministry has already trained over 1,000 staff members in the application of technology in education through its research resource center.
Moreover, more than 53 vocational skills acquisition centers have been established to meet the needs of young people, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
Sununu also mentioned that approval had been obtained for the construction of 50 new model schools across the country to further enhance teaching and learning.
The ability to revitalise the senior secondary education sub-sector to meet global demands requires key actions that optimise the system.
“Today marks a significant step in our journey to enhance the quality of education for our young learners.
“Senior secondary education is a critical phase, shaping the future of our learners and, by extension, our nation.
“This explains our efforts in ensuring that our education system is robust, dynamic, and capable of meeting global standards,” Sununu stated.
Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, also underscored the need to overhaul the senior secondary curriculum to meet global competitiveness.
Represented by Rep. Mark Usani, Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Abbas pointed out the ongoing challenges in senior secondary education, such as the shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate funding, and poor infrastructure.
Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr. Iyela Ajayi, called for stakeholders to take ownership of the national policy on senior secondary education and its implementation.
“The federal government alone cannot succeed in repositioning senior secondary education.
“We must mobilise all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, NGOs, development partners, educationalists, and those concerned about education.
“We need to bring them together to brainstorm, identify problems, and provide solutions,” Ajayi said.