The Adamawa State Government has launched a new Teachers Service Commission as part of efforts to reform the education sector, strengthen school administration and improve the management of secondary school teachers.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Umar Pella, disclosed this on Wednesday in Yola while inaugurating the commission, describing the initiative as a major step towards addressing persistent challenges in the state’s education system.
According to the Commissioner, the commission was established after nearly three years of planning to create a more effective framework for managing secondary education and enhancing the performance of teachers across the state.
He said the new body would assume the responsibilities previously handled by the defunct Post-Primary Schools Management Board, including teacher recruitment, appointment, promotion, welfare and general school administration.
According to the commissioner, its responsibilities would extend beyond teaching personnel to include the supervision of non-teaching staff and the effective management of resources needed to ensure the smooth operation of public secondary schools.
Pella noted that overseeing more than 500 secondary schools would be a demanding responsibility, urging the newly appointed chairman and members to demonstrate professionalism, commitment and integrity in carrying out their duties.
He warned against corruption, undue influence and manipulation, stressing that such practices could frustrate the government’s efforts to reform the education sector.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to free education, adding that the commission must ensure accountability, discipline and efficient administration across public schools.
He also assured the new body of the ministry’s cooperation, emphasising that sustained collaboration among education officials, teachers and other stakeholders would be essential to achieving the government’s objectives.
Responding, the commission’s chairman, Dr Saleh Bukar, thanked the state government for entrusting him and other members with the responsibility of managing teachers and strengthening secondary education.
Bukar said the commission would focus on ensuring that government spending on basic and secondary education produced tangible improvements in students’ academic performance and overall development.
He stressed that the body would work towards producing students equipped with sound academic knowledge and good moral character, while improving their results in both internal and external examinations.
The chairman specifically highlighted examinations conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as areas where improved student performance would be a priority.
Bukar also pledged to maintain strong working relationships with the Ministry of Education, teachers’ unions, parents, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the commission’s mandate.
He expressed optimism that cooperation from the ministry and other partners would enable the commission to deliver on its responsibilities and contribute to the state’s education reform agenda.
The commission’s permanent members are Mrs Irene Haladu, Rev. Daniel Bulus and Alhaji Adamu Bello. Its part-time members are Alhaji Isa Mohammed, Mr Usman Ayuba and Mrs Bless Calvin.
