Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Wednesday said that the competency test to be conducted for teachers of public schools in the state would also be extended to private schools.
Oshiomhole, who disclosed this in Benin at a meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said that there was need to cleanse not only the public education sector but the general education sector as well.
The governor said that an education consultancy firm, as well as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), would be contracted to conduct the test.
He said that teachers who failed the test would either be redeployed or relieved of their jobs.
Oshiomhole said that the present administration would not leave any other legacy other than a sound foundation in the education sector.
The governor said that the key element to a sound educational foundation was the teachers.
Oshiomhole said that in spite of government’s huge investments in the education sector in the state, results of candidates in external examinations were not commensurate with the investments.
He, however, said that the result of the competency test would determine those who would be retrained, as well as those who would be redeployed, and those who would be dropped.
The governor said the Edo Government was not ready to gamble with the future of its children who were of school age in the state.
In their various contributions, Jane Osagie, Sabina Idowu , David Ugolor and Dr Philip Ugbodaga, called for a speedy conduct of the competency test.
They also decided to set up a committee to meet and discuss with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) the need to embrace the competency test.
The state government had in 2013 said it would conduct a competency test for teachers in its public schools in January.