The Commissioner for Basic Education in Lagos State, Honourable Jamiu Ali Balogun, recently announced that the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) is actively recruiting new teachers. This important update was shared during an event organized by the Diamond Progressive Movement (DPM), a group focused on preparing students for future leadership roles.
During the event, a student asked Commissioner Balogun about the shortage of teachers in critical subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, English, and Chemistry. The commissioner explained that TESCOM is currently interviewing teachers to fill these gaps. “Teachers are being interviewed at TESCOM. We are replacing teachers who were hired over 30 years ago during the Jakande era, as many of them are now retiring,” he said. This means that many of the teachers who started their careers decades ago are now retiring, and new teachers are needed to take their place.
This statement from Commissioner Balogun contradicts earlier claims from TESCOM that there was no ongoing recruitment. Recently, Mr. Kayode Sutton, TESCOM’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, confirmed that the recruitment of teachers, especially for STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), would begin soon. He emphasized that the Lagos State Government has been working hard to improve education by providing thorough training for teachers. “Under the current administration, substantial efforts have been made to improve the educational landscape by providing comprehensive training for teachers, thereby boosting their effectiveness in educating students,” Sutton noted.
The recruitment of STEM teachers is a priority because there is a high demand for them, and they are currently in short supply. “We are prioritizing the recruitment of STEM teachers—those in Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Technical, English, and Mathematics—due to their high demand and scarcity. This focus will continue as we need to fill vacancies in these critical subjects,” Sutton added. This focus on STEM teachers aims to ensure that students receive a strong education in these important areas.
Commissioner Balogun also made it clear that while the focus is on hiring STEM teachers, TESCOM is also considering teachers of other subjects. “Although we place priority on STEM teachers, it does not mean that teachers of other subjects are not considered for employment. In fact, we have them in abundance across the schools,” he clarified. This means that there are already many teachers for other subjects, but the most urgent need is for STEM teachers.
This recruitment effort is a significant step toward addressing the teacher shortages in Lagos State. By hiring new teachers, the government aims to improve the quality of education and ensure that students have access to knowledgeable and well-trained educators. This initiative is expected to strengthen the teaching workforce and enhance the learning experience for students across the state.
The partnership between TESCOM and the Lagos State Government demonstrates a strong commitment to education. By hiring and training qualified teachers, they aim to create a solid educational system that helps students achieve their academic and career goals. This initiative addresses the current teacher shortages and sets the stage for ongoing educational growth in Lagos State.
