Ondo Probes Fraud In Recruitment Process of School Teachers

By Ayodele Oni

The recent recruitment of teachers into primary and secondary schools in Ondo state is generating furore following allegations that the process was compromised.

Already, the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has commenced an investigation into allegations of buying and selling employment slots by the officials of Ondo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Candidates which were eventually picked during the exercise allegedly paid between ₦200,000 and ₦750,000 to secure teaching positions at both primary and secondary school levels.

It was learnt that some of those that were dropped during the exercises had questioned the process alleging some officials of the two boards of compromise.

This development, it was gathered, has raised concerns about the quality of education in the state, as unqualified individuals, that could meet the payment condition, may have been employed based on their ability to pay rather than their qualifications.

During the exercise, not less than 1000 teachers for primary school and a little well over the figure were employed into the secondary school.

Stakeholders in the education sector in the state have raise issue that the alleged corrupt practice in TESCOM and SUBEB recruitments may contribute significantly to the decay in the educational sector.

“Many schools lack qualified teachers, and the teaching profession seems neglected. Qualified teachers who graduated over 14 years ago are still waiting for employment opportunities, while others may have bribed their way into teaching positions without being committed to the system.

The SPFACC’s secretary, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, who confirmed an intervention by the state anti corruption agency, assured that the investigation would be thorough to protect the integrity of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

“The commission’s probe is a step in the right direction, and the governor must take decisive action to address this anomaly and ensure that the teaching profession is valued and respected.

The stakeholders expressed support for the probe saying  “SPFACC’s investigation into the alleged sale of teaching jobs in Ondo State is a welcome development. If proven true, the allegations highlight a deep-seated problem in the state’s education sector.

“The state government must take concrete steps to address this issue and ensure that qualified and dedicated teachers are employed to improve the quality of education.”