FCTA last recruited teachers 16 years ago – Director

The Director of Quality Assurance at the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr Shuaibu Ngibi Emmanuel, has disclosed that the last official recruitment of teachers in the Federal Capital Territory was carried out about 16 years ago. He said Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers have since been complementing government-employed teachers in both primary and junior […]

The Director of Quality Assurance at the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr Shuaibu Ngibi Emmanuel, has disclosed that the last official recruitment of teachers in the Federal Capital Territory was carried out about 16 years ago.

He said Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers have since been complementing government-employed teachers in both primary and junior secondary schools across the territory.

Abuja Metro recalls that parents, particularly in rural communities, have repeatedly complained about the shortage of teachers in core subjects in public primary and junior secondary schools.

Former Minister of State for the FCT, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, had during her tenure promised that PTA teachers would be considered for permanent employment, but the plan was not implemented before she left office.

Speaking at the Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the FCT chapter of the National Association of Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) held at Junior Secondary School (JSS), Garki Area 11, Abuja, on Thursday, Emmanuel said the board would prioritise PTA teachers whenever recruitment of permanent teachers begins.

According to him, many PTA teachers have spent between 13 and 14 years teaching in schools across the FCT through the support of PTAs.

“If all PTA teachers are removed from our schools today, honestly, the FCT UBEB system may not be able to stand on its feet. PTA remains very sacrosanct to the education sector in the FCT,” he said.

He added that the board had already presented the matter before the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Emmanuel explained that recruitment of permanent teachers involves lengthy procedures, including competency assessments and federal character considerations.

He, however, expressed confidence that the FCT Administration was aware of the situation and would address it after due processes are completed.

He commended the FCT chapter of NAPTAN for supporting public schools through the recruitment of PTA teachers and other interventions.

Earlier, the re-elected chairman of the FCT chapter of NAPTAN, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, said the association had recorded significant achievements in the last four years, especially in the recruitment and payment of PTA teachers as well as infrastructural development in schools.

According to him, the association has supported schools through the construction of classrooms, fencing projects, provision of desks and chairs, employment of PTA teachers and engagement of security guards.

He lamented that in many public schools across the FCT, PTA teachers now outnumber government-employed teachers.

“It is for this reason that we are calling on the FCT Administration at all levels to urgently recruit more teachers into public schools, while PTA teachers should be given first consideration during the recruitment exercise,” he said.