In October this year, the Kaduna State Government revealed publicly that 66 percent of the primary school teachers in the state is incompetent enough to teach the pupils. It was revealed that about 21,780 out of 33,000 Kaduna teachers failed the primary four test administered to test their competence by the state government.
We are putting these out in the court of public opinion for Nigerians to make their verdict. Here are some of the primary 4 competency test scripts conducted for primary school teachers in Kaduna State. pic.twitter.com/aMwRWPlh6f
— Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) November 9, 2017
As a result, the government announced that it would fire all the unqualified teachers and hire competent ones as replacement.
NO GOING BACK ON DISENGAGEMENT OF UNQUALIFIED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS!
Teachers who have served from 1-5 years would have their appointments terminated while those who served for 5 years and above would be retired compulsorily. pic.twitter.com/U7IMbAXFTW
— Governor Kaduna (@GovKaduna) November 8, 2017
However, not all Kaduna teachers were considered incompetent. On Sunday, the State Universal Education Board released the names of 11,220 teachers considered qualified to teach in public primary schools across the state. The rest are to be replaced. The teachers kicked against the move. The teachers, in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, organised a protest on Wednesday to tell the government that the move is not welcomed. The protest shut down activities in the state that day.
As a fall out of the string of events, Nigerians have taken to the social media to air their view on the matter. Many are of the opinion that the move by the state government is the best to save the future of millions of children. They argue that there won’t be any negative repercussion as those always believed to be associated with mass retrenchment of workers since replacement teachers would be employed back into the system. Some think the teachers should be re-trained while others just find the whole saga funny.
It has been claimed that more than 16,000 applications have been received so far.
As at close of work on November 7, 2017, The Kaduna SUBEB received 16,750 applications from prospective teachers. Recruitment is still on. Please apply now. pic.twitter.com/zKReHt2k8s
— Political Adviser KD (@KdPolitical) November 8, 2017
Here are some reactions presented by Nigerians on twitter
In Kaduna, the teachers who set tests & exams, mark scripts & ask students to repeat are also the ones saying, “EXAMINATION IS NOT A TRUE TEST OF KNOWLEDGE”.
Isn’t our educational system a joke? pic.twitter.com/oZRxtRURm1
— 9jaWitches ?♀️?? (@badgalmaddie_) November 9, 2017
Peter Obi was IMPEACHED for initiating core reforms in Education in Anambra.
He fought back/won. Anambra Teachers/Students are better off today that he did.
Education Reform is not an easy task but it IS NEEDED. Kaduna Govt/NUT should find solutions & NOT compromise COMPETENCE
— Juliet ‘Kego (@julietkego) November 9, 2017
I believe everyone agrees that something should be done about the unqualified teachers in Kaduna.
Where we may differ however is on “what should be done” – and outright sack as Hell-Ruffy is proposing to do with them is definitely not the right answer to that question.
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) November 9, 2017
If Kaduna governemnt changes their decision to sack teachers who failed the competency test, I’ll give up on Nigeria education.
DEATH!?
— Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) November 9, 2017
If you really feel for the teachers who have lost their jobs in Kaduna, you can employ them as lesson tutors for your kids. Or recommend them for your friends and family.
Shey, you can always train them as an employer.
— Ikenna-先生 (@FailedRift) November 9, 2017
Rather than sack the Kaduna teachers who failed the exams the state administered on them is it not better to train and retrain them? Why sack them and lose their years if experience?
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) November 8, 2017
I have mulled this over in my mind. What the Kaduna State teachers who could not score up to 75% in the Primary 4 test they were made to take need is not training. Training scales up what you already know. What they need is to be sent back to restart Primary School.
— HENRY Okelue (@4eyedmonk) November 9, 2017
Good initiative Kaduna. It takes alot to be a teacher.
Let’s have teachers with passion not teachers that had to settle for a job because they didn’t get the job they wanted.— TheRealHoney (@thereal_honey_) November 9, 2017
After you engage new and qualified teachers, there has to be a conveyor belt that produces Qualified teachers. The Kaduna College of Education should be part of your plan. Infrastructure has to be improved. Pupils sitting on the floor is a No No. Then work on enrollment and
— BabaAlaje (@SunkanmiShams) November 9, 2017
Governance is not just about doing what is popular but what is right. So long Kaduna state replaces unqualified teachers with qualified ones in a transparent way, the gain is for the state and will outlive @elrufai
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) November 9, 2017
There is nothing wrong in sacking 20,00 unqualified teachers rubbishing the future of our kids and employing 20,000 qualified teachers from same KADUNA who will secure our children future!
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) November 9, 2017
I served in Kaduna, 1st at NN & later at Govt Sec. Sch. Geshere, Saminaka-Lere Zone where I painstakingly took English & Literature classes (JS3-SS3). I had to organise free private classes for the school’s full time English teachers. Education in the North needs radical reforms!
— ‘JideAluko (@JideAluko) November 9, 2017
So, the livelihoods of the 22,000 unqualified Kaduna teachers are more important to you than the millions of children they are teaching…?????
— Sidney (@sidramatic1) November 9, 2017
