The Edo State Government has announced the absorption of 4,000 volunteer teachers under the EdoStar Teaching Programme and the recruitment of an additional 500 new teachers to strengthen manpower in public schools across the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, disclosed this on Sunday in Benin during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration, themed “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.”
Iyamu said the move reflects Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare and addressing the shortage of qualified educators in public schools.
“Come October 15, we will present letters of appointment to about 4,000 EdoStar volunteer teachers who have been teaching for the past three years,” Iyamu announced.
“In addition, the government will recruit another 500 teachers into the system.”
He explained that the initiative would end the prolonged probation period for volunteer teachers and bridge the manpower gap in schools across the state.
“Even an apprentice does not train for three years without confirmation,” the commissioner said, adding that the appointment letters would be presented at a public ceremony in Government House.
Iyamu revealed that the state had constructed over 68 schools within the past year and trained more than 6,000 teachers in digital and technical skills, including robotics and artificial intelligence, to enhance classroom teaching.
“When we build schools without teachers, they are just empty buildings. We are investing in people who will shape our children’s future,” he stated.
To further promote teacher welfare, Iyamu said the state had introduced a Teachers’ Fitness Day, to be celebrated annually on October 4, and approved a Best Teacher Award, which would be presented every November 25 to recognise excellence in education delivery.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Bernard Ajobiewe, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Edo State Chapter, commended the state government for implementing the N75,000 minimum wage, promoting teachers, and renovating schools.
He, however, called for the deployment of more teachers to rural areas and urged the government to promptly pay financial benefits and arrears owed to promoted teachers.
“If we renovate schools and there are no teachers, we have done nothing,” Ajobiewe stressed.
“We also oppose the idea of handing over schools to missionaries, as it could create inequalities and deny marginalised children access to education.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Ebanehita Omonzane, Chairperson of the State Universal Basic Education Board, lauded teachers for their dedication, urging them to continue shaping young minds with patience and integrity.
“Teachers remain the true nation builders,” she said.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Comrade Joe Iyalekhue, a retired Principal Assistant Secretary-General of NUT, highlighted the importance of teamwork in modern education.
“No teacher can succeed in isolation. Collaboration, not competition, is the future of education,” he noted.
