By Adeola Kunle
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment process for 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers serving in Federal Unity Colleges.
Dr. Alausa described the approval as a major development in the Federal Government's efforts to address teacher shortages, improve the quality of education and strengthen the teaching workforce across the nation's Federal Unity Colleges.
According to the Minister, the decision also reflects President Tinubu's commitment to investing in education and recognising the contributions of teachers who have continued to serve Nigerian students despite years of uncertainty over their employment status.
Dr. Alausa noted that some of the affected PTA teachers have spent almost 25 years teaching in Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges.
"This is a President who cares deeply for Nigeria and for the future of our country," the Minister said.
He added that the President's approval would give verified PTA teachers an opportunity to transition into the mainstream public service, subject to the completion of the required statutory procedures.
"The President has approved the recruitment of teachers. Priority will be given to absorbing verified PTA teachers, many of whom have served in our Federal Unity Colleges and Federal Technical Colleges for almost 25 years. This approval provides them with the opportunity to become part of the mainstream public service," Alausa stated.
The Minister explained that the development represents an important milestone in the education reforms being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the recruitment is expected to improve the teacher-to-student ratio in Federal Unity Colleges while recognising the dedication of teachers who have continued to contribute to the education of Nigerian children over the years.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that the recruitment process followed a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by an Inter-Ministerial Committee established to screen PTA teachers across the Federal Unity Colleges.
The verification exercise identified and confirmed 3,252 eligible teachers across three cadres, namely Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers and Technical Instructors.
The Minister explained that their regularisation will proceed after the completion of all statutory requirements and other processes required under the applicable public service regulations.
He stressed that integrating experienced teachers into the federal public service would help preserve valuable institutional knowledge accumulated over the years, strengthen classroom teaching and contribute to improved learning outcomes in Federal Unity Colleges.
Alausa further said the recruitment forms part of the Federal Government's broader strategy to improve the quality of teachers and reposition Federal Unity Colleges as institutions capable of delivering high-quality academic and technical education.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Education to working with relevant government agencies to complete the outstanding statutory processes required for the final recruitment approval, in line with existing public service rules and regulations.
The Minister also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the recruitment process, describing the decision as another indication of the administration's determination to make education a central component of national development.
According to him, investment in teachers remains critical to the development of the country's education system because the quality of education is closely linked to the quality, competence and commitment of its teachers.
He assured the 3,252 verified PTA teachers that the Ministry would ensure that the regularisation process is handled transparently, fairly and diligently while maintaining strict compliance with due process and established public service regulations.
"This administration is determined to ensure that every child in our Federal Unity Colleges is taught by qualified, motivated and professionally supported teachers. We will continue to pursue reforms that improve learning outcomes and restore confidence in public education for the benefit of every Nigerian child," the Minister said.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to policies and programmes aimed at strengthening the teaching profession, improving learning outcomes and ensuring that students in Federal Unity Colleges have access to quality education provided by competent, dedicated and professionally supported teachers.
Adeola Kunle
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