Outrage as Ogun ‘cancels’ recruitment of 1,500 teachers

There was outrage on Tuesday as candidates shortlisted for 1,500 employment into the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) accused the government of cancelling their recruitment exercise in replacement with a fresh process.

Daily Trust reports that the state government started recruitment of 1,500 teachers in the last quarter of 2019.

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Our correspondent reports that qualified applicants after series of tests were later shortlisted for interviews.

However, the COVID-19 outbreak which brought about the closure of schools for almost six months stalled the recruitment exercise.

The applicants on Tuesday protested to the Governor’s office, carrying placards with various inscriptions, begging Governor Dapo Abiodun to release their appointment letters.

Our correspondent reports that the protest comes less than 24 hours after the state government announced fresh process of recruiting some teachers, who would serve as interns for a period of two years.

The candidates expressed fears that the government had subtly cancelled their recruitment exercise and opted for new approach.

According to them, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, had once informed them that the release of their appointment might not be possible anytime soon, blaming it on paucity of funds.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters on Tuesday, an applicant from Abeokuta South, Yemi Oyeleye, appealed to Abiodun to consider them for the job, having waited for many months.

According to him, some of them were sacked by their employers after the state government announced that their appointment letters were ready.

The protesters said they were shocked to see another statement from the Education Commissioner, announcing the recruitment of teachers as interns.

Another applicant, Gbeletan Ismail, expressed surprise that the government has begun the recruitment of interns, without an update about the 1,500 applicants.