Edo to boost technical, vocational education in junior secondary schools with 3,000 newly recruited teachers

The Edo State Universal Basic Education Board has assured that the state government plans to boost Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the 3,000 teachers, who are to be recruited under the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Result (STAR) teacher recruitment programme.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Chairperson, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said the board has the marching orders from Governor Godwin Obaseki to educate students on the requisite skills.

She said, “As you are aware, basic education extends to junior secondary school. We are trying to put in place the necessary tools that will make us roll this out. In line with that, we have the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Result (STAR) teacher recruitment programme.

“We had over 38,000 applicants. Of this, 11,000 were shortlisted for a computer-based test. From those that took the test, we would do a further review so that we can select the best 3,000 graduate teachers that will be hired amongst them. By the end of May, we ought to have shortlisted.”

On the curriculum to drive the teaching of technical and vocational education, Oviawe noted, “We have started a further work on the curriculum for junior secondary school. The governor has given us a marching order to educate students and have them acquire the requisite skills. Skills acquisition is now a strong component of our basic 7, 8 and 9 education system in Edo State.

According to her, “We are ready to expand. We would have done that by now, but the COVID-19 pandemic held us back. We have to train these teachers on what to do before we take them into the classroom and introduce the Edo Best programme.”