The Executive Chairman of Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB), Her Excellency, Lady Dr. Ada Okwuonu, says the 6000 primary school teachers to be recruited by government through IMSUBEB will promote learning and development in the state.
She stated this while monitoring candidates who were writing the Computer Based Test (CBT) at designated centres in Owerri last wee.
Thus centres where the CBT took place included Prime Time, JAMB Office, Swin- Tech and Unique Computer Institute Owerri with Coordinators from IMSUBEB and others supervising the exercise which went orderly and smoothly.
Okwuonu who noted that the exercise is purely for those who are below 40 years of age with at least National Certificate of Education (NCE) and Bachelors in Education (B. Edu), informed that the new teachers are mainly going to be posted at their local government areas of origin so that they will be fully monitored and gingered to impact proper knowledge in the pupils to help bring out the best in them.
The former Deputy Governor explained that teachers to be employed are those who have academic qualifications on education/relevant skills on ICT to be able to fit into the 21st Century teaching standard/method which she pointed out has been fully adopted by IMSUBEB and Ministry of Education with full endorsement by Governor Hope Uzodimma who she said is education friendly and loving.
According to Okwuonu, “the CBT managed examination for employment granted to IMSUBEB by Governor Hope Uzodimma is germane, as the feat will go a long way to enhance leaning among our children, as well as promote development in Imo State.
The amiable Governor wants us to employ more teachers especially in primary schools because he is education friendly. This positive move is targeted at filling the gap of lack of teachers in the rural communities. The Governor told us that the teachers have to come from their LGA of origin who are not more than 40 years who are also ICT literate”.
Observing that candidates who pass the written exam would be subjected to oral interview to ascertain their intellectual abilities, the Board Secretary, Hon. Chidiebere Egbuo, said the reason for the CBT was to get best teachers who are ICT relevant so that they perform well in the classroom, saying ICT has been made compulsory in schools in Imo State, hence the 3R led government has renovated buildings, built more structures with many being sufficiently equipped with computers and other enhancing facilities.
Egbuo believes that if IMSUBEB “can get over 95% of ICT inclined teachers, Imo pupils will be well taught and imbued with technology skills. Our intention is to get qualified teachers who are ready to deliver optimally and impact our children with ICT knowledge. Governor Hope Uzodimma wants the best for Imo children. In fact, government procured over 1800 tablets to be spread in schools in Imo, hence the need for ICT equipped teachers. The candidates for the CBT were duly assessed and attested for by their traditional rulers and PGs for easy identification, devotion and viability to abrogate lateness and truancy in schools at the rural areas. I advise all community leaders to wake up and protect their school against academic, moral decay and vandalism”.
While praising IMSUBEB and the APC led government for organizing the professional examination for the recruitment of teachers in Imo State, SA to the Governor on IMSUBEB, Eziada Stella Ukagba, Zonal Director, Owerri Office, JAMB, Mrs. Gloria Anyaegbu, Director in charge of Admin and Supplies, IMSUBEB, Ugosimba Ifeoma Okeke and Director, Social Mobilization Department, IMSUBEB and one of the CBT Coordinators at Unique Computer Institute, Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Egonu Ngozi, affirmed that the exercise was seamless, stating that though there were minor challenges of lateness, overcrowding and some computer faults, the test was a huge success.
However, some of the candidates, Okoro Peace Chinonso, Okorie Johnson Chimezie, Precious Blessing and Mrs. Edith Uche, expressed happiness for the opportunity afforded to them by government to participate in the recruitment exercise, urging government to ensure that its policy of positing ICT inclined teachers at their respective communities is adequately implemented to drastically reduce truancy, lateness, laziness and lack of ICT knowledge in youths at the rural communities for the edification, development and progress of the state.
