Nasarawa deploys 1,000 teachers to rural schools

The Nasarawa State Government has approved the redeployment of 1,000 teachers from administrative offices to rural schools as part of efforts to address acute teacher shortages and improve learning outcomes across underserved communities in the state.

The move, implemented through the State Universal Basic Education Board, was aimed at strengthening basic education delivery in the 13 local government areas, particularly in hard-to-reach rural settlements where the lack of qualified teachers had continued to undermine effective classroom instruction.

The Executive Chairman of Nasarawa SUBEB, Dr Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, disclosed this in Lafia on Tuesday, shortly after receiving a letter of commendation from Governor Abdullahi Sule, conveyed through the Secretary to the State Government, Labaran Magaji.

He said: “The governor has approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional teachers, largely to serve rural communities where shortages are most acute.

“We had discovered about 4,000 qualified teachers posted to offices, but we have so far redeployed 1,009 back to classrooms, and plans are underway to redeploy another 1,000.

“We see these as rural teachers, and we are appealing for special allowances to motivate those willing to serve in hard-to-reach areas.”

Mohammed-Kassim attributed the achievements recorded by the board to the collective efforts of its staff and outlined key reforms implemented within six months of assuming office, including the redeployment of teachers from administrative offices to classrooms and enhanced project monitoring.

The SUBEB chairman expressed appreciation to the governor for the letter of commendation, describing it as both humbling and motivating, and pledged to intensify efforts to ensure improved learning outcomes for pupils across the state.

He reaffirmed the board’s commitment to revitalising basic education in Nasarawa State, stressing that sustainable development must be anchored on a strong educational foundation.

Presenting the letter of commendation on behalf of the governor, the SSG said the gesture followed deliberations and approval by the State Executive Council in recognition of Mohammed-Kassim’s performance since assuming office.

According to Magaji, the Sule administration placed high priority on basic education as the foundation of human capital development, noting that measurable improvements had been recorded under the current SUBEB leadership.

He said: “Since the assumption of office of our dear friend, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, we have witnessed a clear transformation in the way primary education is being handled in Nasarawa State.

“Records have shown that many staff who were redundant, particularly in offices, were redeployed to the classrooms, thereby bridging the gap created by the shortage of teachers to teach our children.

“Unlike before, when school projects were handled with little seriousness, we now see quality delivery through close monitoring by the chairman and his team. There is a visible improvement in our primary school system.”

Magaji explained that the commendation was part of a reward system designed to promote transparency, diligence and effective service delivery in public office.

He added that the quality of school infrastructure projects, including classrooms and sanitation facilities, had improved significantly due to strict supervision and monitoring by the SUBEB management.

He further commended Mohammed-Kassim for initiating the state’s first basic education summit, aimed at addressing challenges affecting the development of basic education across the 13 local government areas.

Culled from punch.