Akwa Ibom State government will re-absorb the 5,000 teachers sacked last October on the grounds of alleged fake credentials and other irregularities observed in the recruitment process.

The Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Ekereobong Akpan, briefed reporters in Uyo.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the affected teachers, whose appointment letters were dated April 1, 2015, were hurriedly recruited by the administration of ex-Governor of Akwa Ibom Godswill Akpabio a month before the end of its tenure.

NAN reports that the secondary school teachers had not received their salaries or posted to schools from April 2015 to October 2016, although they were given letters of appointment.

Akpan said the government had set up modalities for the screening and re-validation of the affected teachers, adding that the exercise would begin on February 11.

The head of service said the government decided to open another window of opportunity to enable the teachers, especially those who possess relevant qualifications, to be recruited.

She said the teachers would be screened on presentation of their original letter of appointment from the suspended the exercise.

“The affected persons will be expected to supply their birth certificates, first school leaving certificates, educational qualifications, certificate of origin and other credentials earlier submitted.

“Let me state here and very sincerely that the affected persons, who succeed at this fool proof screening, shall be offered appointment to teach in our public schools,” Akpan said.

She said the government had set up a committee to ascertain the total number of workers inherited from the six privately-owned community schools taken over by the government in 2012.

The head of service expressed surprise that the staff strength in the six community schools increased to 546 after the government took over the schools.

“Let me break the good news that the committee set up has submitted its report.

“All the bona fide teaching and non-teaching workers as identified by the community will be absorbed into the service,” she said.

Source:- The Nation