The Rivers State Government has approved the recall and revalidation of 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023 as part of efforts to address the manpower shortage in public schools across the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Sam Ogeh, who confirmed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s directive for the immediate revalidation exercise.
According to Ogeh, the decision aligns with the governor’s commitment to repositioning the state’s basic education system.
“In fulfilment 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,” Ogeh said.
“As part of this initiative, His Excellency has directed the revalidation of the 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023. All affected teachers are required to report to the RSUBEB office for the revalidation exercise.”
The process is scheduled to hold on Wednesday at the RSUBEB State Office on Elechi Beach, Port Harcourt.
The approval follows intense criticism from the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, which on Monday condemned the deplorable state of public schools and accused the Fubara administration of neglecting the education sector.
During deliberations, lawmakers faulted the government’s failure to employ more teachers and expressed concern over inadequate classrooms, poor infrastructure, and the burden placed on teachers who are often forced to handle multiple classes simultaneously.
Aforji Igwe, Chairman of the House Committee on Education, had earlier led an oversight visit to Township State School 1 and 2 on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, where he described the learning conditions as unacceptable.
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Speaker Amaewhule also queried why funds allegedly left behind by former Administrator Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.), estimated at N600 billion, were not being used to restore dilapidated school facilities.
Governor Fubara, responding to the Assembly’s criticisms, argued that the deterioration in school infrastructure predates his administration.
He added that the six-month emergency rule imposed in the state slowed down ongoing interventions.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the recruitment of teachers and healthcare professionals while insisting that appointments would not be influenced by political interests.
The revalidation of the 1,000 teachers is seen as the government’s latest effort to demonstrate progress in addressing the challenges facing the education sector.