Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the recall of 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023 to fill manpower gaps in public schools across the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Sam Ogeh, Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), who said the governor directed a revalidation exercise for the teachers.
“All affected teachers are required to report to the RSUBEB State Office, Elechi Beach, Port Harcourt, for the revalidation exercise, which will hold on Wednesday,” Ogeh stated.
The decision follows sharp criticism from the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amawhule, over the poor state of learning in public schools.
The Assembly accused the executive of neglecting the education sector and failing to employ enough teachers.
Aforji Igwe, Chairman of the House Committee on Education, reported on visits to Township State Schools 1 and 2 along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, highlighting decaying infrastructure and understaffed classrooms. Amawhule added that past administrations left significant funds, which could have been used to improve school facilities.
Governor Fubara, however, said the poor conditions predate his administration and assured that the recall of teachers is part of efforts to bridge the manpower gap in the state’s schools.
