By Saheed Ibrahim

Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) is set to kick off the recruitment of qualified teachers for public primary schools in rural areas, signaling a significant move by the state government to address educational staffing needs.

The exercise, scheduled to commence this week, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of teachers in the state’s public primary schools.

According to Prince Bolu Diesel Ajijo, the Director of Information and Public Relations for ODSUBEB, the recruitment exercise will span five days, starting from Tuesday, April 2, and concluding on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Prospective applicants are urged to utilize the official recruitment portal, www.odsgsubeb.org, to submit their applications.

Termed as the “Recruitment of Teachers for Rural Areas,” the endeavor is strategically tailored to address the persistent shortage of teaching staff in remote regions of the state.

Unlike urban centers, where teacher-to-student ratios often exceed the UNESCO standard, rural areas have grappled with inadequate staffing levels, hampering effective learning outcomes.

Victor Olabimtan, the Executive Chairman of ODSUBEB, emphasized the meticulous nature of the recruitment process, which will be guided by localized needs assessments conducted at the grassroots level.

In a bid to ensure sustainable retention of newly recruited teachers, recruitment will be made on a community-by-community and local government-by-local government basis.

This approach seeks to foster a sense of ownership and belonging among educators, encouraging them to remain in their respective communities for at least five years before considering transfers, Olabimtan explained.

Highlighting the significance of recruiting indigenous teachers, particularly in areas with unique cultural and geographical attributes such as Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, and Odigbo, Olabimtan stressed the imperative of nurturing a cadre of teachers deeply rooted in their local contexts.

To qualify for teaching positions, applicants must hold a professional teaching qualification, such as a National Certificate in Education (NCE), in addition to other relevant academic credentials such as Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor of Arts in Education (B.A.Ed), or Bachelor of Science in Education (B.Sc.Ed).