Oyo Lawmaker, Bisi Oluranti calls for employment of qualified teachers in private schools*

Lawmaker representing Ogbomoso North Constituency, Hon. Bisi Oluranti Micheal, has urged Oyo state government to ensure the employment of qualified teachers in private primary and secondary schools, noting that quality education is a fundamental right of every child, and it is the duty of both the government and private institutions to ensure that students are provided with an environment conducive to learning.

The lawmaker, who made the call during the House plenary session on Thursday, said that Private schools risk stunting the academic growth and development of their students by employing unqualified teachers and such will have long-term negative consequences for the State.

According to Bisi Oluranti, the employment of unqualified teachers undermines the efforts of the state government in raising the overall standard of education.

She said: “While public schools benefit from the employment of university graduates and National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders, private schools that hire unqualified personnel create a stark disparity in the quality of education across the State.

“Observes that private schools should not be allowed to sacrifice educational standards in the pursuit of profit. The continued employment of secondary school leavers as teachers is a disservice to  students, their parents, and the future of Oyo State.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for the state government to intervene and enforce stricter regulations regarding the qualifications of teachers employed in private primary and secondary schools in the State.”

The lawmaker, however, commended Governor Seyi Makinde, for demonstrating commitment to improving education through the recruitment of over 5000 qualified teachers during his first term, and the recent employment of additional Seven Thousand Five Hundred (7500) teaching and 3000 non-teaching staff by Oyo State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission ( TESCOM), and 7000 teachers by State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

She noted that, while this effort has continued to improve public school education, it is imperative that private schools are also brought under similar standards to ensure that all student in the state receive quality education.

After a long deliberation, the House urged the Executive Arm of Government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to conduct an immediate assessment of all private primary and secondary schools in the state to identify those employing unqualified teachers.

The House equally summoned the association of proprietors and proprietress to ensure that only schools with qualified teachers are considered for registration and renewal of license as well as ensure that private primary and secondary schools in the State adhere to educational standards.