The Nasarawa State Government has approved the recruitment of 1,000 new teachers to strengthen basic education and improve learning outcomes for pupils across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
The approval was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, in Lafia on Tuesday, shortly after he received a letter of commendation from Governor Abdullahi Sule. The letter was presented to him by the Secretary to the State Government, Labaran Magaji, in recognition of the achievements recorded under his leadership of the Board.
Mohammed-Kassim attributed the progress recorded so far to the collective efforts of staff of the Board and highlighted key reforms introduced within six months of assuming office. According to him, these reforms include the redeployment of teachers from offices back to classrooms and improved monitoring of school projects across the state.
He said, “The governor has approved the recruitment of 1,000 additional teachers, largely to serve rural communities where shortages are most acute.”
He further explained that an internal review revealed that a large number of qualified teachers were previously assigned to office duties rather than teaching in schools. “We had discovered about 4,000 qualified teachers posted to offices, but we have so far redeployed 1,009 back to classrooms, and plans are underway to redeploy another 1,000,” he stated.
Mohammed-Kassim noted that the newly recruited and redeployed teachers are expected to focus mainly on rural areas where schools face serious shortages of teaching staff. He added, “We see these as rural teachers, and we are appealing for special allowances to motivate those willing to serve in hard-to-reach areas.”
He expressed appreciation to Governor Sule for the letter of recognition, describing it as encouraging and motivating. He pledged to intensify efforts to ensure that children in public primary schools across the state receive quality education. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Nasarawa SUBEB to revitalising basic education, stressing that long-term development must start with a solid educational foundation.
While presenting the commendation letter, the Secretary to the State Government said the decision followed deliberations and approval by the State Executive Council. According to him, the gesture was meant to acknowledge the performance of the NSUBEB Executive Chairman since assuming office.
Magaji said the administration of Governor Sule places high priority on basic education as the foundation for human capital development. He noted that visible improvements had been recorded under Mohammed-Kassim’s leadership.
He said, “Since the assumption of office of our dear friend, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, we have witnessed a clear transformation in the way primary education is being handled in Nasarawa State.”
Magaji added that records showed many staff who were previously redundant in offices had been redeployed to classrooms, helping to address the shortage of teachers in public schools. He also pointed to improvements in the execution of school projects, saying closer supervision had led to better quality delivery.
“Unlike before, when school projects were handled with little seriousness, we now see quality delivery through close monitoring by the chairman and his team. There is a visible improvement in our primary school system,” he said.
He explained that the governor’s commendation was part of a reward system designed to promote transparency, diligence, and effective service delivery in public office. He also noted improvements in school infrastructure, including classrooms and toilets, due to stricter supervision.
Our correspondent reports that Magaji also commended Mohammed-Kassim for leading the organisation of the first-ever Basic Education Summit in Nasarawa State, aimed at addressing challenges affecting basic education across the 13 local government areas.
