Hundreds of disengaged workers of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board on Wednesday held a peaceful protest over the termination of their appointment by the state government.
The aggrieved teachers who converged in multitude at the Kwara State Government House were seen sitting on the floor, weeping under the scorching sun in agitation for their reinstatement.
Recall that THE INFORMANT247 had earlier reported how the Kwara State Government sacked over 2000 teachers in Kwara over discrepancies that marred their employment process.
Speaking with one of the teachers who identified herself as Ateyobi Esther, she appealed to the state government to temper justice with mercy and revoke her decisions concerning their dismissal.
“We have been in this job for the past 2years. At first, we thought we were going to be disengaged but the governor promised us that he would not disengage us. Most of us were single before but later got married after getting the appointment. The Governor should please help us, our means of livelihood rely on this appointment, they should please have mercy on us,” she pleaded.
She further explained that they have undergone several screenings and adjudged qualified appealing to the government to conduct thorough screening for them rather than terminating their appointments.
“We do not say they should not screen us, we don’t mind even if it takes them 1 week to screen us but for us to go back home and still re-apply is like telling us to restart from the beginning and apart from that, what is the assurance the most of us that were dismissed will be chosen in the new process?”
She, therefore, on behalf of the affected teachers appealed to the state government to reconsider their decision regarding their dismissal.
The Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye while addressing the protesters explained that the decision of the government is aimed at reforming the educational system through the recruitment of outstanding teachers.
“The government is trying to reposition the educational sector, we want to ensure that our little children are fed by the best of the teachers and I’m sure many of you are qualified when you reapply you are going to justify why the government must give the job to you,” Ajakaye said while addressing the protesting teachers at the Government House.
He further noted that the government will roll out a fresh advert on Friday which will be merit-based and technologically-driven.
“By Friday an advert will be published that advert will specify the kind of people that should reapply. Everybody will be given an equal opportunity to get a slot that they deserve.
Rest assured, we are not going to be unfair to anybody, the moment you are qualified and you are deemed to be qualified, rest assured the government will give you that slot— that is an assurance, that is something all of us have agreed upon,” he said.
He, however, urged the dismissed teachers to re-apply in the next recruitment exercise which will be free, fair, and transparent.
