Recruitment Of Bayelsa Teachers Based On Needs Assessment

Chairman of the newly constituted committee to coordinate a fresh recruitment exercise into existing vacancies in secondary schools in Bayelsa State, Hon. Irorodamie Komonibo, has said the committee would consider candidates who participated in the previous recruitment provided they meet the needs assessment requirements.

The commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, who confirmed the development yesterday, said the initial recruitment was cancelled because it violated the Service Rule and disregarded the State Executive Council’s approval, which specified the employment of 995 teachers based on verified needs assessment.

The commissioner also urged the public to stay informed about the situation, assuring that more updates would be shared as they become available.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, had earlier canceled a recent teachers’ recruitment exercise conducted by the State Post Primary Schools Board due to irregularities and non-compliance with established guidelines.

Diri subsequently set up a special committee to oversee a new recruitment exercise to fill the vacant positions in secondary schools. Other members of the committee include Hon Timipre Seipulou, Mr Felix Asingbi, Dr Hamilton Ekemena Ekeke, Mr Yela Joseph Alagoa and Dr (Mrs) Stella Ugolo.

Speaking on a radio programme, View Point, monitored in Yenagoa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, stated that the exercise had to be suspended after it was discovered that it no longer aligned with the government’s original goals.

Alabrah explained that the government aimed to hire teachers based on the specific needs of schools and students but emphasised that the recruitment process did not follow this plan.

It was also gathered that the commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, and the chairman of the State Post Primary Schools Board, Chief Millionaire Asangba, had clashed openly over the suspended recruitment exercise, but Asangba quickly dismissed the decision, denying any wrongdoing.