Enugu State has seen an overwhelming response to its recruitment drive for smart school teachers, with 26,000 candidates applying for the 6,000 available positions. The selection process, which began four days ago, is being conducted simultaneously at the Enugu State College of Education Technical and the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.
Professor Ndubueze Mbah, the State Commissioner for Education, addressed the media at the IMT venue, highlighting the administration’s commitment to enhancing educational standards under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership. He explained that the assessment includes a computer-based test designed to evaluate candidates’ subject area expertise and basic digital literacy.
“We received 26,330 applications, and we are conducting daily assessments of at least 6,000 candidates at both centres,” Mbah stated. “Candidates are tested in four areas: their subject knowledge, English language proficiency, General Mathematics, and basic digital skills.”
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of these assessments, noting that previous evaluations showed significant gaps in literacy and numeracy among students in Enugu State. “Our baseline assessment indicated that two out of every four children in our schools lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. It is crucial that our teachers are proficient in these areas,” he said.
Mbah outlined the selection process, revealing that successful candidates will undergo a six-month intensive training program before being posted to smart schools. This training will include instruction from international experts in subject areas, digital technology, and experiential learning techniques.
The recruitment process aims to be fair and unbiased, with all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications considered. Additionally, non-indigenous candidates are also eligible to apply based on merit.
The Commissioner stressed that the goal of this initiative is to ensure high-quality education comparable to international standards. “We are investing significantly in these smart schools and want to ensure that the teachers we employ are highly skilled and capable,” Mbah added.
The state government plans to expand the recruitment in January, with the aim of training a total of 12,000 teachers and posting them to 265 smart schools across Enugu State. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address teacher absenteeism and improve educational outcomes.
“We are committed to maintaining the integrity of this process and ensuring that only qualified candidates are selected,” Mbah concluded.
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