Jigawa State hires 2,000 new secondary school teachers

The Jigawa State Government has added to its teaching staff by giving appointment letters to over 2,000 new secondary school teachers. This move is part of efforts to improve the education sector in the state.

At the event, 2,020 teachers received their appointment letters. This includes 1,100 who were hired on permanent and pensionable terms and 920 who joined under the J-Teach programme.

Governor Umar Namadi led the presentation at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Dutse. He said the aim is to fix the shortage of qualified teachers and improve the ratio of pupils to teachers, especially in rural areas that need help.

"Just a month ago, we provided school uniforms, bags, and writing materials to many learners in the state to help with access and improve learning conditions. Today, we are adding to that by growing the teaching staff and sending qualified teachers to schools where they are needed most, especially in rural areas. This day marks another step towards better teaching, improved learning, and a brighter future for every child in Jigawa State."

The governor added that these new appointments are a part of the administration's plan to strengthen the teaching workforce and create jobs for qualified young people.

He emphasized that investment in education should not just focus on buildings and materials. He stated that having enough qualified and motivated teachers in schools is very important.

"In a changing world driven by technology, people need the knowledge and skills that quality education provides to succeed. This is why we keep committing a large part of our annual budget to education. Our spending on classrooms, furniture, materials, technology, and school management must be matched by having enough qualified and supported teachers."

He also said the state government would keep focusing on teacher development. This includes training, improving teaching methods, and professional growth through the Teacher Development Agency.

"This step fulfills a promise made at the start of our administration: to improve the bad pupil, teacher and student, teacher ratios by hiring qualified teachers and ensuring ongoing training. The goal is not just to increase staff numbers but to make sure every school, especially in rural areas, has the right teachers to provide effective teaching and real learning."

The governor pointed out that these latest appointments are part of a larger effort to expand the teaching workforce since he took office.

"Since 2023, the J-TEACH programme has brought 7,500 workers into basic education. Out of these, 3,000 were later converted to permanent positions after training and selection. Nearly 2,000 entered at the post-basic level through the same programme, with 1,000 getting permanent jobs. We also placed over 2,100 graduate teachers and hired about 600 teaching and non-teaching staff for mega schools and boarding senior secondary schools across the state."

He assured the new teachers that the government would back them up, urging them to show professionalism, discipline, and commitment to the students.

"The government will help you with good induction, mentoring, supervision, and fair performance evaluation," he said.

The governor also recognized Guaranty Trust Bank for donating 450 bicycles to students who travel long distances to school in hard-to-reach areas. He said this would help reduce the strain of daily travel and boost attendance and retention among those students.