By EDITH TSOKAR

The Federal Government has given approval for the recruitment of 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers in Unity and Technical Colleges nationwide.

‎The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, said that the recruitment aimed at strengthening teachers’ capacity and improving learning outcomes nationwide.

Alausa described the approval as a landmark intervention reflecting President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding quality education through sustained investment in qualified teachers and institutional development.

He said that the approval would address persistent teacher shortages in Federal Unity Colleges.

According to him, the approval for recruitment recognises the dedication of PTA teachers who have supported classroom instruction for many years without permanent public service appointments.

‎”The President has approved the recruitment of teachers. Priority will be given to absorbing verified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in our Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for almost 25 years,” he said.

‎The minister said the recruitment followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by an inter-ministerial committee, which carefully screened eligible PTA teachers before recommending them for regularisation into the federal public service.

‎He disclosed that 3,252 teachers were successfully verified across the cadres of Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers and Technical Instructors after completing the nationwide verification exercise coordinated by relevant government institutions.

‎Alausa said that integrating experienced teachers into the federal workforce would preserve institutional knowledge, strengthen classroom instruction and improve educational standards across Federal Unity Colleges throughout the country.

‎He said that the recruitment formed part of the Federal Government’s broader education reform agenda, aimed at improving teacher quality, enhancing learning outcomes and repositioning unity colleges as centres of academic excellence.

Alausa said that the Ministry of Education would continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies to complete all remaining statutory procedures before the issuance of final recruitment approvals.

‎He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the recruitment process, describing the decision as another demonstration of the administration’s resolves to prioritise education as a catalyst for national development.

‎Alausa said that investing in teachers remained central to building a stronger educational system, because the quality of any nation’s education could not exceed the quality of its teachers.

“This is a President who cares deeply for Nigeria and for the future of our country,” he said.

‎The minister assured all verified PTA teachers that the regularisation exercise would be concluded transparently, fairly and diligently in full compliance with established public service rules and due process requirements.

‎He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing reforms that strengthen the teaching profession, improve learning outcomes and guarantee every learner in Federal Unity Colleges access to competent and professionally supported teachers.

‎“This administration is determined to ensure that every child in our Federal Unity Colleges is taught by qualified, motivated and professionally supported teachers,” the minister said.

‎He said that the ministry would sustain policies designed to restore confidence in public education while ensuring that qualified teachers remained at the centre of efforts to improve educational standards nationwide.

‎Educational stakeholders have consistently identified shortage of teachers as a major challenge confronting Federal Unity Colleges, making the latest approval one of the administration’s most significant interventions in teacher workforce development.

‎The minister said that development was expected to improve teacher-student ratios, strengthen curriculum delivery and enhance learning experiences for students attending Federal Unity Colleges across Nigeria.

‎Observers say that the regularisation of experienced PTA teachers could also improve staff morale, reduce reliance on temporary teaching arrangements and support government’s drive for sustainable education reforms.

Alausa reiterated that improving the welfare and professionalism of teachers would remain critical to achieving better educational outcomes and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. (NAN)

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