20,000 Applicants Jostle For Few Teaching Vacancies In Ebonyi

Posted by African Examiner education, Latest Headlines, News From The State Friday, February 21st, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Abakaliki

At least about 20,000 applicants in Ebonyi state have besieged the state Secondary Education Board in Abakaliki to obtain recruitment forms for teaching jobs.

Most of the applicants, who were scrambling to collect the forms from officials of the board, said they have been unemployed for several years since after graduation form school.

However, efforts to speak with Mrs. Patience Oko, Chairman of the board, failed as she was said to be in a crucial meeting with members of the board and management team.

A close source to the board who spoke with African Examiner under condition of anonymity disclosed that obtaining the form was one of the criteria to qualify for the interview.

The source further said the forms were issued to the applicants free of charge as the management had warned against selling and extortion of the applicants.

He said, “we are having a hectic day controlling the crowd that has thronged here to obtain the job form.

“The forms are issued free of charge to qualified applicants because the board warned that it will not tolerate any foul play from any of its staff members.

“We are doing our best to ensure that the forms get to those that need them. The board is only allowed to recruit 1,500 qualified persons,’’ it said.

“This number is to be drawn from holders of the Higher National Diploma, Bachelors of Education, and National Certificate in Education.

According to him, “the number here shows the sorry state of unemployment in the society and the government needs to do something to stem the tide,’’ the source added.

Meanwhile, some of the job seekers who spoke to our correspondent had appealed to the board to be fair and unbiased in choosing candidates for the interview..

One of them, who gave her name Chinyere Elom appealed for open, free and fair interview where applicants would be given opportunity to express themselves, adding the board should resist the temptation of financial inducement.