The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Hamid Bobboyi, has disclosed that over 30 per cent of the Nigeria’s teaching workforce left the service within the past three years.
Bobboyi disclosed this on Thursday at a six-day training session on SMASE and Jolly Phonics for thirty School Support Officers in Kano, which was organized by the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board in association with UBEC.
Bobboyi called the state of affairs worrisome, stating that while some teachers retired, others left the service in search of better opportunities without being replaced.
However, he called on other governments to imitate the Kano State Government and applauded it for the proactive steps it has been taking to replace the retiring teachers with new ones.
He said, “Nationwide, in the last three years, particularly beginning with COVID-19, we have lost over 30 per cent of our teaching workforce. And it is very frightening. Many of them retired, while some left the service without being replaced.
“So, for Kano to take proactive measures in that regard pleases me immensely. I hope and pray other states should also learn from Kano and make sure it can take serious measures.”
He also emphasised the need for welfare for teachers, whom he said are critical to the development of future leaders and the country as a whole.
He commended the teacher development unit for organising the training for the teachers, describing it as a strategy that works to ensure quality education.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, Yusuf Kabir, said the state government has approved replacing retired teachers every three months.
He disclosed that the state government has approved the construction of additional classrooms in each local government area to decongest the existing classrooms and ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
The 30 School Support Officers selected from across the state were trained to support teachers in teaching the core subjects of Mathematics, English, and Science and improve students’ performance.
