Osun CSO Slams Gov Adeleke Over Failed Teachers’ Recruitment

By Adesewa Alonge, Osogbo

A coalition of civil societies, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has condemned the Osun state government under the leadership of Governor Adeleke for the continued delay in concluding the recruitment of teachers into public schools across the state.

Speaking during its monthly state of the State Address for October in Osogbo, the Executive Director of the group, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, said the government’s justification for the suspension of the recruitment exercise is unacceptable and an excuse that does not reflect the urgency of the crisis in the education sector.

The state government led by Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier attributed the delay to the seizure of local government funds by the Federal Government. But TOM faulted the explanation, arguing that the freeze in council allocation affects primary school teachers only, while secondary schools fall under the State Government’s direct responsibility through the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the Ministry of Education.

Oyedokun-Alli warned that the shortage of teachers in secondary schools has reached a alarming level, with some schools preparing students for external examinations with less than five government-approved teachers.

According to him, the development has led to a decline in the quality of teaching and learning, putting the future of thousands of students at risk.

“Over the last three years, students have graduated from our schools poorly instructed and ill-prepared for the academic journey ahead of them. We cannot continue to watch the system collapse,” he said.

Urging the Governor Adeleke to take swift action to salvage the educational sector, TOM indicated the urgent need to employ competent teachers and adequate manpower for public schools.

TOM further emphasised that Osun government under the leadership of Governor Adeleke should sustain its payment of local government salaries while still prioritising the educational sector.