Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said state government will conduct
proficiency tests for all teachers working in public schools in Sokoto
State.
The Governor spoke when he held 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 issued by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the tests
are aimed at ensuring that the knowledge base of the teachers meet required
standards, while their postings match their qualifications.
“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,” the statement quoted the Governor as saying.
Tambuwal vowed that, his administration will leave no stone unturned in
uplifiting the standard of the education sector in the state.
On funding, Tambuwal said his administration is 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,” he added