By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

The Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission has promoted 6,129 teaching and non-teaching staff in public secondary schools following the conclusion of the 2022/2023 promotion exercise.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mrs Rhoda Ojo, disclosed this during an interactive meeting with principals of public secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti.

Mrs Ojo stated that promotion letters had been dispatched to the beneficiaries, noting that 5,669 of the newly promoted staff were teachers, while the remaining 460 were non-teaching staff.

Expressing satisfaction over the resolution of disputes among some teachers’ groups, which had initially delayed the promotion process, the TSC Chairman urged the newly promoted staff to reciprocate the government’s gesture by demonstrating diligence and dedication in their duties.

She also advised principals to maintain strict control over their schools, emphasising that the government would not tolerate hooliganism, violence, or indiscipline.

Furthermore, Mrs Ojo assured that the state government would continue to reward outstanding principals and teachers while also taking disciplinary action against those found negligent or incompetent in their roles.

Reiterating that the position of a registrar is not recognised by the Commission or the Teachers’ Manual, which serves as the guiding document for teaching staff in the state, she stressed that the responsibility for conducting examinations in secondary schools lies with principals and their vice-principals (Academics).

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission, Mr Michael Boluwade, urged principals to discourage teachers from requesting postings and transfers in the middle of academic sessions, as such disruptions could negatively impact students’ academic performance.

He assured that the Commission would continue to prioritise the welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff in secondary schools to enhance productivity and ensure excellent student performance.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner 1 of the Commission, Elder Lawrence Falana, and his counterpart, Mrs Titilayo Falusi, emphasised the need for principals to bridge communication gaps within the school system and to see themselves as role models for both teachers and students.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Teachers’ Affairs, Mr Fatai Oluyede, assured attendees that the government was addressing the outstanding arrears of the 2017 secondary school teachers’ leave bonuses. He also urged them to support Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in its efforts to transform the education sector.

In their goodwill messages, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Bamidele Daodu; the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Sola Adigun; and the Chairman of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr Akinbode Oke, pledged that their members would uphold the government’s expectations and strive for academic excellence in public secondary schools across the state.

The union leaders also called for continuous training programmes to equip teachers with modern teaching and learning techniques.