Four non-teaching staff
from three Primary Schools in Obanliku local government area, Cross River State have been elevated to teaching staff in the Primary School system by the Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Stephen Odey.
They are, a Security man from Government Primary School, Ablesang, and three Caregivers (nannies) from Government Primary School, Beegbong and Government Primary School, Etsong.
The SUBEB Chairman, who disclosed that the staff were converted having obtainedTeachers Grade II and Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), said the action is to encourage those who have passion for teaching by ensuring that they get the required teaching qualifications.
According to him, people who sacrifice their time and meagre resources to advance their education should be encouraged.
One of the newly converted teachers, Mrs. Mary Ubacheze, thanked the state government and the State Universal Basic Education Board for acknowledging her passion for teaching and giving her the opportunity to serve in that capacity, adding that, she would utilise the opportunity by discharging her duties effectively..
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Stephen Odey, has promised to adopt measures to stem the growing number of nannies as against the low number of teachers employed in Primary Schools in Obanliku.
Dr. Odey made this known during the screening exercise which held in Obanliku Obudu and Bekwarra local government areas saying that more nannies were employed than teachers.
According to him, “we have seen the number of nannies injected into the system. The basic problem we want to deal with is teachers, but in Obanliku, you can see about 15 or 20 nannies and then you see five teachers. It is unacceptable and something must be done about it.”
He further assured that at the end of the exercise, the people of the state would know the problems in the 18 local government education authorities, adding that “a lot will be recovered for the state.”
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
