BY OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
The Edo State Government Sunday announced the employment of 4500 teachers to strengthen its educational sector.
It was reported that the development followed the regularization of the appointment of 4000 EdoStar teachers as permanent staff and the recruitment of 500 new teachers.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, stated this in his address in Benin City during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration, themed ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’.
He said the presentation of appointment letters to the new teachers would commence this month.
According to the commissioner, the move reflected Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to rewarding dedication and addressing teacher shortages, particularly in public primary and secondary schools.
Iyamu also disclosed that the state had built more than 68 schools in less than one year and trained more than 6,000 teachers in digital and technical skills.
He said the teachers were trained on robotics and artificial intelligence, to enhance classroom delivery.
“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. Besides, the EdoStar, the government will recruit another 500 teachers into the system.
“The gestures would end the era of prolonged probation for volunteer teachers and help bridge the manpower gap in schools across the state.
“Even an apprentice does not train for three years without confirmation. The teachers would receive their appointment letters at a public ceremony in the Government House,” he said.
The commissioner added that the state government would from 2026 institutionalize every October 4 as Teachers’s Fitness Day to promote teachers’ well-being.