The Benue State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the primary school teachers’ recruitment exercise being conducted by the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (BSUBEB).
This decision was reached during a plenary session on Wednesday following concerns about alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
The Assembly has summoned the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, to appear before it on Tuesday to address the controversial recruitment process.
Lawmakers raised issues about the inclusion of candidates with non-professional degrees in education and the adoption of a cut-off mark as low as 25% in the aptitude test, which many believe undermines the quality of teachers being recruited.
As part of its inquiry, the Assembly has mandated SUBEB to provide a detailed needs assessment of teachers on a school-by-school basis across all local government areas.
Additionally, the Board has been asked to present the complete results of all candidates who participated in the recruitment exercise and to furnish the legislative body with the legal framework empowering it to conduct the recruitment.
This resolution stemmed from a motion of urgent public importance introduced by Mr. Douglas Akya, the representative of Makurdi South constituency. Akya expressed deep concern over the alleged manipulation of the recruitment process.
He pointed out that the Board had shortlisted individuals without the requisite qualifications in education, a clear violation of the requirements specified in the advertisement for the exercise. Akya emphasized that such actions were contrary to Governor Hyacinth Alia’s well-intentioned efforts to revamp public primary schools in the state.
In support of the motion, the Deputy Whip of the House, Mr. Alfred Emberga, highlighted numerous complaints from his constituents regarding the exercise.
He asserted that it is not within the purview of SUBEB to recruit teachers, further questioning the legality of the ongoing process.
Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Simon Gbabo, representing Mata constituency, called for the immediate suspension of the recruitment exercise to allow for a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the Majority Whip of the Assembly, Mr. Peter Ipusu, suggested that an ad-hoc committee be constituted to probe the exercise.
This suggestion was backed by several lawmakers, who stressed the need to restore public confidence in the recruitment process and ensure adherence to established guidelines.
In a related matter, the House received a petition from Mrs. Roselyn Ganki, presented by Mr. Thomas Dugeri, the representative of Kwande West constituency.
The petition detailed allegations of underpayment of her salary by SUBEB, prompting further concerns about the Board’s management practices. The Speaker of the House referred the petition to the Standing Committee on Rules and Business for subsequent deliberation.
The Assembly’s intervention underscores its commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in the state’s education sector.
The recruitment of qualified and professional teachers is considered pivotal to the success of Governor Alia’s reforms aimed at improving the standard of public primary schools.
Lawmakers have reiterated their resolve to ensure that any form of irregularity or malpractice is addressed promptly to safeguard the future of education in Benue State.
The forthcoming appearance of Dr. Adagba before the House is expected to shed light on the issues surrounding the recruitment exercise and provide clarity on the Board’s decisions.
As investigations proceed, stakeholders in the state are keenly observing the developments, hoping for resolutions that will prioritize the welfare of students and the credibility of the education system.
