Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, tuesday said the state government will conduct proficiency tests for all teachers working in public schools in the state.
Tambuwal made the remark when he held a meeting with the Chairman of the state Committee on Emergency in Education, Prof. Risqua Arabu Shehu.
In a statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, in Sokoto, he said the tests were aimed at ensuring that the knowledge base of the teachers meet required standards, while their postings match their qualifications.
“The tests will improve our data base on the number of teachers in public service which will in turn be used to harmonise records available with different agencies and departments of government.
“This is also part of measures taken under the emergency on education initiative to shore up the standards.
“However, this does not mean that those who may fall below the required standard after the tests will be sacked.
“Alternatively, we will redeploy them to other sectors befitting of their qualifications and expertise. The government will continue to benefit from their services as to the terms of their employments,” the statement read.
Tambuwal vowed that his administration would leave no stone unturned in uplifiting the standard of the education sector in the state.
He said his administration was fully committed to adequate funding of the sector, at all levels.
“That is why even in 2017, education retained the highest allocation in our budget. Our thinking is that no amount of money allocated to the education sector is too much and we will not waiver in this direction,” the statement concluded.
The state Committee on Emergency in Education is expected to present report to the government on needs assessment of schools conducted in November last year.
