Cross River Scrambles to Employ 6,000 Teachers to Address Shortage
A memo has already been submitted to the governor for the commencement of the employment process, targeting an initial recruitment of 6,000 teachers
AKACHI NOEL 
Cross River State is mobilizing to address the acute shortage of teaching staff in public schools by embarking on a massive recruitment drive. According to Stephen Odey, the commissioner for education, a minimum of 20,000 teachers is needed to adequately cover the shortfall.
During a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday, Odey revealed that the Bassey Otu-led administration is prioritizing the employment of teachers to bridge the gap in the education sector. Due to financial constraints, the recruitment will be conducted in phases.
"We are determined to reform the sector holistically because we want to make Cross River a reference point in the education sector amongst the commity of states," Odey emphasized.
A memo has already been submitted to the governor for the commencement of the employment process, targeting an initial recruitment of 6,000 teachers. Odey highlighted the critical need for more teachers, particularly in rural areas where some schools have as few as two teachers.
Addressing concerns about the payment of West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fees for students, Odey clarified that the list of beneficiaries, totaling 16,287 students, was not exhaustive. He attributed the discrepancy to late submissions from some schools, with approximately 20 schools missing from the initial list.
To ensure accountability and efficiency, Odey stated that principals who failed to fulfill their duties diligently would face sanctions, including demotion to classroom teaching roles. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of streamlining school calendars and pursuing illegal schools to ensure uniformity and quality in the education system across the state.
