The Osun State Government has attributed the delay in concluding its much-anticipated teachers’ recruitment exercise to the prolonged non-release of local government (LG) allocations by the Federal Government.
Speaking at the opening of a professional training workshop for teachers and heads of public schools held in Ede, the Osun State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Dipo Eluwole, explained that the funds intended for the recruitment process are currently being diverted to sustain critical local services.
“The money meant for recruiting new teachers is what we are using to pay salaries of existing primary school teachers, local government workers, healthcare professionals, and statutory allocations such as the five per cent earmarked for traditional rulers,” Eluwole revealed.
He stated that due to a leadership crisis affecting local government administration in Osun State, the Federal Government had withheld LG allocations since February. The ongoing political tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over control of LG councils has only intensified the impasse. A recent court judgment, however, upheld the legality of PDP-led councils.
The commissioner, while addressing the challenges facing the state’s education sector, shared an emotional moment from a recent meeting with Governor Ademola Adeleke. According to him, the governor was visibly moved to tears, overwhelmed by the funding crisis and its impact on education.
“On Saturday, His Excellency wept for 15 minutes before we could begin our meeting. A respected traditional ruler who was present also shed tears. This situation is heartbreaking,” Eluwole said.
Despite the challenges, the commissioner expressed pride in the strides Osun has made in the education sector. “Osun’s education system is fast becoming a model in Nigeria. Unlike previous years, our students and schools are now making the state proud,” he added.
Eluwole urged residents to remain hopeful and continue supporting the government’s efforts. “Let us pray for Osun and our leaders. Governor Adeleke has good intentions, and we are committed to building a stronger, more sustainable education system.”
The teachers’ recruitment saga has generated significant public interest, with many applicants expressing frustration over the prolonged silence from the government. While a portal for applications was launched months ago, progress has stalled due to the funding constraints.
Stakeholders in the education sector are calling for urgent federal intervention to resolve the LG funding crisis, as the teacher shortage continues to affect the quality of learning in public schools across the state.
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