6,700 candidates jostle for 380 teaching jobs in Enugu

A remarkable 6,700 candidates are competing for just 380 teaching positions in various secondary schools in Enugu State.

This was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), which monitored the examination proceedings on Saturday at several designated centers.

Fr. Hilary Mgbodile, Chairman of the Enugu State Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), shared with NAN that the board had initially received over 12,000 applications. Of these, 6,700 candidates were shortlisted to fill the vacancies left by retiring teachers.

The examinations were held at five selected centers: Union Boys Secondary School, Queen School Enugu, Holy Rosary College (HRC), College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), and Trans Ekulu Girls Secondary School, Enugu. The subjects tested included English, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

Highlighting the competition, Mgbodile noted that while the board only needed 80 ICT teachers, 1,700 candidates applied for the position. Similarly, over 2,000 candidates applied to teach English. He emphasized that the board’s primary criteria for selection were merit and competence, stating, “We are picking the best of the best.”

Mgbodile also mentioned that if the board does not find the required number of competent teachers, another call for applications will be made. To ensure fairness and objectivity in the recruitment process, the PPSMB has enlisted the help of an independent recruiting company.

Addressing the reason for the high number of rejected applications, Mgbodile explained that some applicants were non-indigenes or over the age limit of 45 years. Others lacked the requisite qualifications for their desired teaching subjects, with some attempting to apply for positions outside their area of expertise.

Furthermore, candidates who were awaiting their statements of results or could not provide their certificates were also excluded from the examination.

The recruitment drive was initiated after the board, upon assuming office in 2023, identified a significant shortage of teachers in secondary schools, particularly in rural areas. Following Governor Peter Mbah’s directive, the board had transferred some teachers from urban to rural schools, which highlighted the need for more teachers in key subjects such as sciences.

Mgbodile explained that the goal of this recruitment is to address these shortfalls, especially in science subjects, and to restore the legacy of quality teaching and learning in public schools. “We want to make public schools a viable option for parents, reducing the need for private and mission schools,” he said, noting Governor Mbah’s support for this initiative.