Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, on Thursday inaugurated 6,030 newly recruited teachers and 345 non-teaching staff into the state civil service.
Speaking at the ceremony in Owerri, Uzodimma described the recruitment as a major step towards revitalising the state’s education sector, saying it was aimed at addressing the shortage of teachers and restoring dignity to the profession.
The governor said his administration was committed to improving the welfare of teachers, declaring, “I want to make Imo teachers the most important civil servants in the state.”
He also assured the newly recruited teachers that payment of their salaries would remain a top priority for the government.
According to Uzodimma, the teachers have been deployed to public schools within their native communities as part of efforts to ensure a more equitable distribution of teaching personnel and reduce the staffing disparity between rural and urban schools.
The governor also announced plans to provide the teachers with digital teaching devices. He urged them to protect school infrastructure, maintain hygienic learning environments and strengthen relationships with parents and community leaders.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, described the recruitment as a “historic milestone” resulting from a comprehensive assessment of educational needs across the state’s 27 local government areas.
Ikegwuoha said the recruitment formed part of broader reforms in the education sector, which included the recovery and renaming of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University and the establishment of new tertiary institutions.
Responding on behalf of the newly recruited teachers, Mrs Philomena Maduako expressed appreciation to the governor for creating the employment opportunities.
She pledged that the new teachers would remain committed to improving educational standards and implementing the state’s education policies.
The ceremony also featured the symbolic presentation of computer tablets to selected teachers, while other beneficiaries were directed to collect their devices after completing biometric enrolment.
