Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has recalled 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023, following mounting pressure from the State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule over the worsening condition of public schools in the state.

The Assembly had, during plenary last Thursday, raised concerns about the dilapidated state of primary and secondary schools, accusing the government of failing to address critical manpower shortages and infrastructure decay.

Governor Fubara, in a reaction on Monday, dismissed the lawmakers’ criticism, arguing that the deterioration in public schools long predated his administration. But less than 24 hours later, he approved the immediate revalidation and recall of the teachers.

The directive was contained in a public announcement signed by Sam Ogeh, Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB).

The statement read in part:

“In fulfilment of his promise to bridge the manpower gap in public schools across Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has approved the appointment of new teachers across the state. As part of this initiative, His Excellency has directed the revalidation of the 1,000 teachers recruited in 2023.”

According to the notice, all affected teachers are expected to report to RSUBEB with their appointment and posting letters for the revalidation exercise.

The move is expected to ease the longstanding staffing crisis in public schools, a major concern that has dominated recent legislative deliberations in the state.