Edo NUT, School Heads, Govt Clash Over Competency Test

The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, AOPSHON, are at loggerheads with the state government over plans to conduct tests for potential heads of primary schools which the unions have described as competency test but the state government has denied saying it was committed to repositioning primary education and that it wanted to replace retiring school heads.
A statement jointly signed by the state chairman, Pius Okhueleigbe and Assistant Secretary-General, Mike Itua said the union would resist any attempt by Edo SUBEB to post junior officers to head schools over and above their colleagues.
The teachers said SUBEB by the planned test wants to sour the relationship that is existing teachers and the state government.
Chairman of Edo SUBEB, Dr Joan Oviawe, said it was not a competency test but to have strong leadership at the schools. Oviawe said the test was for teachers for grade 12 and above and for those having three years to serve.
She stated that it involves writing of letter introducing themselves to the community where the school is located and oral interview with a panel.
She said the state government has done a lot to lift teachers in the state and that the two unions should collaborate with the state government to reposition primary education In its resolution at the end of an enlarged meeting of the union, all public primary schools substantive heads or acting heads and teachers were asked to disregard any form of threat either from SUBEB leadership, agents and privies of the board.
The statement said “All our members should braze up and be prepared for further action as may be deemed necessary and directed by the union should the relevant government board and agent refuse to positively address the issues raised in this communiqué not later than 5th September, 2019.