Thousands of primary school teachers who were unable to pass the Borno State government’s competent test are being trained by Governor Babagana Zulum administration.
Due to their failure in the test, the teachers are yet to be placed on N30,000 minimum wage by the state government.
The government yesterday flagged off the second phase of the training for the affected 781 teachers.
The Zulum administration also approved N783 million for disbursement to the trainees during the three months’ exercise at Bama College of Education.
The beneficiaries were part of the over 2,740 teachers, mostly those who failed to meet up with the 2019 verification and the 2022 competency tests organised by a committee constituted by the incumbent administration.
Last week, a total of about 1,949 teachers formed part of the first phase of free training at Waka-Biu College of Education in southern Borno Senatorial District, where the sum of N1 billion cheque was presented to the participants.
While unveiling the training on Monday at Umar Ibn-Ibrahim College of Education, Science, and Technology (UIICEST), Bama in Borno Central, Governor Zulum, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur said, “The programme underscores the pragmatic policy initiative of this government in the critical sector of education, as such, is quite appropriate and timely.
“You may recall that on Monday, 6th May 2024, we unveiled phase 1 of this significant programme with 1,949 teachers from the 27 local government areas of the state. This initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to improving the quality of education in the state, as outlined during the inauguration of the Local Government Education Secretaries on March 19, 2024.
“It is strategically pertinent to note that the government allocated a substantial sum of one billion naira (N1 Billion) for the training of 2,730 teachers. These educators would undergo rigorous training at both the College of Education Waka-Biu and Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and Technology Bama.
“The duration of the programme is three months, covering 1,884 teachers through a sandwich programme and 846 teachers through a full-time NCE program.”
In his address, the commissioner for education, science, technology, and innovation, Engr. Lawan Wakilbe commended the governor and all stakeholders for repositioning the sector and said, the ceremony was a pivotal step in the journey toward revitalising basic education in the state.
