The Edo State Government has announced the absorption of 4,000 volunteer teachers under the EdoStar Teaching Programme and the recruitment of an additional 500 teachers to strengthen manpower across public schools in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, made this known in Benin on Sunday during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration themed “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.”
According to him, the move reflects Governor Monday Okpebholo’s resolve to reward dedication and tackle the lingering shortage of qualified teachers in public primary and secondary schools.
“Come October 15, we are going to present letters of appointment to about 4,000 EdoStar volunteer teachers who have been teaching for the past three years.
In addition, the government will recruit another 500 teachers into the system,” he stated.
Dr Iyamu explained that the gesture would end the era of prolonged probation for volunteer teachers and close the manpower gap in the state’s education sector.
“Even an apprentice does not train for three years without confirmation,” he said, adding that the appointment letters would be presented publicly at Government House.
The commissioner disclosed that the state had constructed over 68 new schools in less than one year and trained more than 6,000 teachers in digital and technical skills, including robotics and artificial intelligence, to enhance classroom delivery.
“When we build schools without teachers, they are just empty buildings. We are investing in people who will shape our children’s future,” he added.
He further announced the institutionalisation of a Teachers’ Fitness Day, to be celebrated every October 4, and a Best Teacher Award to recognise outstanding performance every November 25.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo State Wing, Mr Bernard Ajobiewe, commended the government for implementing the N75,000 minimum wage, approving promotions, and renovating public schools.
However, he appealed for more teachers to be deployed to rural communities, stressing that renovated schools without teachers would be meaningless.
He also urged the government to address outstanding promotion arrears and resist any attempt to hand over public schools to missionary bodies, warning that such moves could exclude marginalised groups.
Chairperson of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Ebanehita Omonzane, praised teachers for their resilience and urged them to uphold integrity and patience in shaping young minds.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Comrade Joe Iyalekhue, retired Principal Assistant Secretary-General of NUT, emphasised that collaboration remained central to effective teaching.
“No teacher can succeed in isolation. Collaboration, not competition, is the future of education,” he said.
Nigeria joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Teachers’ Day on October 5, with First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, calling for renewed national support for teachers.
