Jigawa State Recruits 10,000 Teachers to Address Education Emergency

The Jigawa State Government has taken a decisive step to tackle its long-standing educational challenges by declaring a state of emergency and recruiting a massive 10,000 new teachers. This bold move is a direct response to a shocking baseline survey that found that an alarming 80% of Primary One pupils in the state are unable to read or write, a clear indication of a deep-seated learning crisis.

The state’s governor, Umar Namadi, who made the announcement, stated that his administration is committed to reversing this trend. He revealed that the recruitment was carried out in phases to address the acute teacher shortage, which has seen some primary and junior secondary schools operating with as few as four or five teachers. The recruitment drive included the confirmation of 3,000 temporary “J-Teach” staff as permanent employees, the hiring of another 3,000 fresh teachers, and the employment of 4,200 additional teachers for the senior secondary level.

“Education is the bedrock of any society. Our findings were alarming, so we had to act fast,” Governor Namadi told reporters. He explained that his administration’s commitment to education is reflected in the more than 30% of the state’s annual budget that has been allocated to the sector.

The recruitment is a crucial part of a broader education reform agenda. The government has restructured the Ministry of Education into two distinct bodies Basic Education and Higher Education to ensure more focused management. It has also partnered with a UK-based education consultancy, NewGlobe, to enhance literacy and numeracy skills, a collaboration that Governor Namadi says is already yielding “remarkable outcomes.”

In a parallel effort to ensure quality, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Haruna Musa, announced that a Computer-Based Test (CBT) is being conducted for the 10,000 teachers. He clarified that the assessment is not intended to sack or punish teachers but to identify their specific training needs and improve their skills. “After the assessment, we are likely to come with three outcomes: competent, semi-competent, and poor teachers. We will use the resources available to provide targeted training for each group,” he said.

This comprehensive approach, which combines mass recruitment with professional development and accountability, is being seen as a necessary and timely intervention. While the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had previously estimated a shortfall of 32,000 teachers in the state, this new recruitment drive is a significant step towards bridging that gap and providing a solid foundation for the future of education in Jigawa State.