Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said that the state government would conduct proficiency tests for all teachers working in public schools across the state.
Governor Tambuwal spoke during a meeting with the Chairman of the state Committee on Emergency in Education, Professor Risqua Arabu Shehu.
The committee is expected to present report to the government on needs assessment of schools conducted in November last year.
A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said that the tests were aimed at ensuring that the knowledge base of the teachers met required standards, while their postings also matched their qualifications.
Quoting the governor, Imam said, “The tests will also improve our data base on the number of teachers in public service, which will in turn be used to harmonise records available with different agencies and departments of government.
“This is also part of measures taken under the emergency on education initiative to shore up the standards.
“However, this does not mean that those who may fall below the required standard after the tests will be sacked. Alternatively, we will redeploy them to other sectors befitting of their qualifications and expertise. The government will continue to benefit from their services as to the terms of their employments.”
Tambuwal also vowed that his administration would leave no stone unturned in raising the standard of the education sector in the state.
On funding, Tambuwal said his administration was fully committed to adequate funding of the sector at all levels.
“That is why even in 2017, education retained the highest allocation in our budget. Our thinking is that no amount of money allocated to the education sector is too much and we will not waver in this direction,” the governor added.
