ASABA/Nigeria: In a bid to address the escalating scarcity of teachers in rural regions caused by the persistent rural-to-urban migration, Sir Monday Onyeme, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, has called upon local government council chairmen to take immediate action by recruiting educators from the very communities in need of their services.
Onyeme made the call on Tuesday, during a cordial visit from the Ossissa Traditional Council of Chiefs to his office at the Government House in Asaba.
He emphasized the pressing need for this strategy due to the disconcerting impact of rural-urban migration on primary schools across the state. Notably, this trend has led to an unfortunate oversupply of educators in urban schools while their rural counterparts are grievously understaffed, and as a result, have suffered significant setbacks.
Onyeme expressed his concern, stating, “The employment of teachers in primary schools in the state will be given attention in this administration, but we must ensure that teachers are recruited from the communities where they come from and they should be ready to stay in the communities where they are posted.” He further urged aspiring teachers to consider postings in rural areas and discouraged a concentration of educators in urban centers.
He underscored, “We want to also advise our people who are lobbying to be recruited as teachers in the current recruitment exercise that they should be ready to stay in the communities where they are posted to; situation where everybody wants to be in the town and nobody wants to stay in the village is what is adding to the lack of teachers in our communities.”
The deputy governor pointed out the stark contrast between the current state of urban schools, where teachers often find themselves with little to do, and the situation in rural schools where there is a dire need for educators. “Schools in urban centers are overstaffed; a lot of teachers are sitting down doing nothing in those schools, but if you go to the village schools, they are begging for teachers,” Onyeme lamented.
In addition to addressing the teacher shortage crisis, Onyeme assured the people of Delta State that the administration led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori remains steadfastly committed to advancing the state’s development, particularly in the domains of road construction, healthcare facilities, electricity, and other essential amenities.
High Chief Joseph Osakwe, Chairman of the Ossissa Traditional Council of Chiefs, lauded Deputy Governor Onyeme’s dedication and contributions to the betterment of society, hailing him as “the pride of Ndokwa Nation.” Chief Osakwe’s sentiment was conveyed through High Chief J.E. Adibeli, who read the Chairman’s address. He expressed optimism that with Onyeme’s illustrious track record of aiding the less fortunate, many of these prevailing challenges could be effectively tackled during his tenure as Deputy Governor.
