The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for decisive executive intervention to ensure the employment of qualified teachers in private primary and secondary schools across the state.
The motion, titled “Need for Government Intervention to Ensure Employment of Qualified Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools in Oyo State”, was sponsored by Hon. O. M. Michael and co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. E. A. Ogundoyin, Hon. S. A. Onaolapo, and Hon. J. A. Ogundele.
Hon. Michael acknowledged the efforts of the current administration under Governor Seyi Makinde in improving the quality of education by employing teaching and non-teaching staff in public primary and secondary schools.
She, however, expressed concern that many private schools have resorted to hiring secondary school leavers as teachers in a bid to minimize personnel costs. According to her, this practice has a detrimental effect on the quality of education received by pupils and students.
Hon. Michael noted that the actions of some private school owners and proprietors undermine the state government’s efforts to raise educational standards. She stressed that private schools should not be allowed to sacrifice quality education for profit.
She therefore called on the executive arm of government to enforce stricter regulations regarding the employment of teachers in private schools, and to introduce periodic inspections to ensure compliance.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Babalola emphasized the need for widespread awareness to ensure that private schools employ competent and qualified personnel in line with the state’s vision for education.
Hon. Adeola added that private schools must not only prioritize hiring qualified teachers but also provide a conducive learning environment and improve teachers’ welfare.
Also speaking, Hon. Oyekola expressed concern over the practice of paying teachers only when school is in session. He advocated for improved incentives for teachers in private schools to bring them at par with their counterparts in the public sector.
The House urged the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), to assess private schools employing unqualified teachers and enforce the National Policy on Education, which stipulates the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) as the minimum qualification for teachers.
It also tasked the House Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) to invite proprietors of private schools for a deliberation aimed at addressing the issues of unqualified teacher recruitment and poor remuneration.
