The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB) has revealed via its spokesperson, Hauwa Mohammed, in a statement on 19th June 2022 that the board had conducted a competency test for over thirty thousand (30,000) teachers in December 2021, and out of the total number, two thousand one hundred and ninety-two (2,192) primary school teachers has been relieved from their work including the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Audu Amba for refusal to sit for the test.
Mohammed's quote “Following the state government’s resolution for continued assessment of teachers to ensure better delivery of learning outcomes for pupils, KADSUBEB conducted another competency test for the teachers in December 2021.
“The services of teachers who scored below 40 percent are no longer required and their appointments have been terminated from the Public Service for their poor performances.
“Teachers who scored 75 percent and above were recognized as those who passed the test and qualified for attending courses in leadership and school management,” she said.
The spokesperson notified that qualified teachers will be included in Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programs to enhance their capacities to deliver quality teaching to pupils. Mohammed said teachers who scored between 40 and 74 percent did not meet up with the minimum pass mark, adding that they would be given a second chance to improve their capacities.
The board, she said, has initiated viable training programs for teachers under its statutory TPD with support from the state government and development partners.
Reacting, Ibrahim Dalhatu, State Chairman, NUT, dismissed the competency test and the sacking of the affected teachers as “illegal”.
Dalhatu said the union had secured a court order restraining the board from conducting the competency test, adding, however, that it conducted the test without recourse to the rule of law.
He recalled that the union had asked the teachers not to write the examination after learning that the intent was to sack them.
The National President confirmed the report and also noted that the National Executive Council would have a sitting 0n 22nd June 2022 for more deliberation.
