The consulting firm handling the ongoing Computer Based Test for recruitment of teachers in Oyo State, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan, has said that contrary to the allegation that the ongoing Computer Based Test for teacher’s recruitment in the state is a bid to promote and Christianise the state, the exercise was basically positioned to select best hands for teaching appointment.
Making this disclosure on Tuesday in Ibadan was the Chief Strategic Officer, EAC, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose.
Bamgbose, who spoke during the inspection of the ongoing teachers’ recruitment test by journalists, said following the dialogue between MURIC, the state TESCOM and the consulting firm, “I am happy that MURIC has been convinced that there is no agenda at all. The main objective of this assessment is to get the best bands to teach students in the state. I remember an illustration given by Prof. Oloyede of JAMB one day that if you have a medical case and a qualified Christian surgeon comes and you are a Muslim patient, would it matter to you? What we are talking about is the future of the children. At this point, what is uppermost to TESCOM is getting the best hands.
“The most important factor in education is the quality of teacher. For us as a consultant, excellence is our core value. It is all about getting the best hands. There were some general knowledge questions that are religious, some Christian knowledge, some Islam. We eventually expunged the religious-based questions. That is to show that there is good intention. There is no plan to Christianise the state.
“We are happy that Kwara State has indicated its resolve to understudy Oyo State in order to replicate it. If you build good school structure with excellent facilities without good teachers it is a waste of resources. For the test, we ensured that there was physical distancing in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, we provided adequate sanitation materials, all candidates covered their faces and mouths.
“Education is the way to go and the best thing is to put the right people in the classrooms. Computer based test allows for effective testing; it is difficult to cheat. We are also able to see that the teachers are computer literate and technically savvy. We tested for 19 different subjects and we are able to deliver.”
The Chairman, TESCOM, Oyo State, Pastor Akinade Alamu, said, “The issue of religion that was made was due to misunderstanding of the whole concept. The MURIC members that agitated came to the centre, they saw everything and expressed satisfaction at the process.
“We told them that if they like, they can join us for invigilation. We asked them to come around and see things for themselves and they were all satisfied.”
Meanwhile, most of the candidates who took the examination have described it as a veritable means of sourcing good hands in a bid to up the standard of education in Oyo State.
Esther Opeyemi Oyebamiji, one of the candidates who wrote the test, said, “The examination was okay; it was one minute per question. So, it was 50 minutes for 50 questions. Thank God, I was able to answer all the questions. I am impressed about the conduct of the examination. We were able to prepare well for it.”
Oyebamiji, a graduate of English Language/Social Studies from College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, added, “I am a Private school teacher but I prefer to work with the state government, the salary will be different. Again, I will be able to engage with more students than now if I am considered. Teaching is a calling and I will be happy to contribute my quota to societal development with this.”
