For students in Adamawa, more classrooms may soon come with more teachers — not overcrowded lessons.
The Adamawa State Government says it has concluded arrangements to recruit 5,000 additional teachers to strengthen learning across the state.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Garba Pella, disclosed this on Monday in Yola while marking the 2026 International Day for Education.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Education in Emergency Working Group (EiEWG) and held under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education.”
According to Pella, the recruitment is meant to close gaps created by the expansion of schools across the state.
He recalled that the Ahmadu Fintiri administration employed 2,000 teachers in 2022 and is now taking the next step by recruiting 5,000 more.
Pella said the recruitment process, which began in late 2025, has already reached the screening and interview stage.
Beyond staffing, he revealed that the state has built 21 Model Basic Education Schools, which are set to begin operations next term.
In addition, 68 secondary schools across Adamawa have undergone general rehabilitation.
The commissioner also said the state has integrated the Almajiri education system into formal learning centres, where children are now being taught English and Mathematics.
According to him, the move is helping children acquire basic literacy skills and reducing the number of young people roaming the streets.
“This helps in reducing children roaming the streets,” he said.
Pella added that the state government has increased budgetary allocation to education to address gaps created by the withdrawal of some development partners.
He noted that the funding challenge is not unique to Adamawa but affects many states across the country.
Calling for wider support, the commissioner urged parents, communities, and educators to continue backing young people to drive education development.
According to him, youths remain central to achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and to building a peaceful and just society.
To mark the Day, NAN reports that the state government, in collaboration with EiEWG, also organised a Spelling Bee and Debate competition for public school pupils.
For students and teachers alike, the message from Adamawa is clear: expanding schools must go hand in hand with investing in the people who teach in them.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.