The Kwara State government,will conduct drug screenings on the 1,800 prospective teachers it plans to hire as part of the recruitment process.
The Governor has given the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) nod to recruit 1,800 teachers, 100 non-teaching staff,and 200 security personnel to enhance the safety of schools.
The Press Secretary of TESCOM,Sam Onile conveyed this in a press statement on Friday.
“All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to drug tests in alignment with the government’s anti-drug abuse agenda aimed at safeguarding school children”,he added.
Mallam Bello Tauheed Abubakar, the Chairman of TESCOM, shed more lights on the purpose of the recruitment drive, emphasizing that the new hires will be deployed to senior secondary schools, particularly in underserved rural areas where there is a shortage of educators.
Prospective applicants will be required to apply online and possess a university degree in education or a relevant subject along with a teaching certification such as B.Ed, BSc. Ed, B.A. Ed, BSc with PGDE, or NCE. Candidates without these qualifications will not be considered for the selection process.
The recruitment initiative,according to TESCOM, primarily aims to address the staffing gaps in rural schools, with a focus on teachers specializing in STEM subjects.
The commission added that application portal will specify the required subject areas in Arts and Commerce, and individuals outside of these fields are advised not to apply.
The service then asked that applicants must provide documentation of their place of origin, current residence, and must verify this information at various stages of the recruitment process.
Additional criteria may be introduced as the process unfolds, with the cutoff score to be determined post-Computer Based Test (CBT), said TESCOM.
Only candidates meeting the stipulated requirements will progress to the next stages of the selection process, it added.
The commission also stated that candidates should not exceed 35 years of age as of January 31, 2025, and individuals displaying inappropriate conduct unbecoming of a teacher or role model will be disqualified at any phase of the recruitment process.
