Segun Fagbemi, Ilorin.
About 1,984 staff of the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) who are due for the 2025 promotion yesterday undertook a Computer Based Test (CBT) Examinations.
The candidates, comprising teaching and non teaching categories, were also tested with oral interviews at the one-day exercise that took place within the premises of the State College of Education Ilorin.
“This exercise is all about the staff of TESCOM who are due for the 2025 promotion. They are here for the CBT exams and interview. About three months ago, we trained them on how to use computers for CBT and on the new teaching techniques in the classroom setting ahead of this exam,” TESCOM Chairman, Mallam Bello Taoheed Abubakar, told reporters on the sideline of the event.
He explained that the candidates had earlier applied through a designated portal, where their uploaded original credentials were screened and considered fit to partake in the exercise.
Abubakar said that they considered pioneering the computer-based test for teachers’ promotion ahead of the WAEC adoption of the method in the 2026 external exams for students, noting this signals that kwara teachers are digital-compliant.
He said the present administration in the state places high premium on the welfare of teachers, hence promoting them as and when due.
“This administration has been doing quite well. Because when we came on board in 2019 we inherited a backlog of promotion arrears across grade levels. Some were there for 9 to 10 ten years without promotion.
“As of today, we cleared the arrears of the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. We don’t have any outstanding promotions. This is commendable,” he said.
The Chairman, however, revealed that arrangements are being put in place to consider a drug test for the next promotion exercise in the organization.
“By God’s grace, in the 2026 promotion exercise, drug tests will be one of the yardsticks for promotion. We did this during the recent teachers recruitment. We are going to replicate it for a promotion exercise,” he said.
This step will further instill discipline and guide against drug abuse, the Chairman said.
Some of the candidates, who spoke to reporters, described the process as hitch-free and welcoming, praising the government for the shift from analog to a digital promotion exercise.
Mr Lawal Toyin of Erin-Ile Secondary School confirmed that they had attended an enhancement and productivity seminar that was organized by TESCOM to prepare them for the new format.
Mr Oyeyemi Surajudeen said he was impressed with the new format, adding this will make it difficult to indulge in examination malpractice.
Mrs Ajetumobi Christiana of St Anthony Government Secondary School said the exercise was stress-free and lauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the initiative.