30% of Nigerian teachers left service in three years -UBEC boss

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Hamid Bobboyi, has disclosed that over 30 per cent of the Nigeria’s teaching workforce left the service within the past three years.

Bobboyi made this known during a six-day training workshop organised by the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, in collaboration with UBEC, for 30 School Support Officers on SMASE and Jolly Phonics in Kano on Thursday.

Bobboyi, who described the situation as frightening, said some teachers retired while others left the service searching for greener pastures without being replaced.

However, he commended the Kano State Government for the proactive measures it has been taking to recruit additional teachers and replace the retired ones while calling on other states to emulate the government.

He said, “Nationwide, in the last three years, particularly beginning with COVID-19, we have lost over 30 per cent of our teaching workforce. And it is very frightening. Many of them retired, while some left the service without being replaced.

“So, for Kano to take proactive measures in that regard pleases me immensely. I hope and pray other states should also learn from Kano and make sure it can take serious measures.”

He also emphasised the need for welfare for teachers, whom he said are critical to the development of future leaders and the country as a whole.

“The teacher is a fundamental element in our entire ecosystem. If you neglect the teacher who neglects the children, the country cannot develop.

“So, we make sure, to safeguard the future of the country, we have to safeguard the welfare of the teacher so that he can also safeguard and make sure he develops the future generation that can take care of the country,” he said.

He commended the teacher development unit for organising the training for the teachers, describing it as a strategy that works to ensure quality education.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, Yusuf Kabir, said the state government has approved replacing retired teachers every three months.

He disclosed that the state government has approved the construction of additional classrooms in each local government area to decongest the existing classrooms and ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

“We have purchased teaching and learning materials to ensure smooth transmission of learning,” he said.

The 30 School Support Officers selected from across the state were trained to support teachers in teaching the core subjects of Mathematics, English, and Science and improve students’ performance.