At least eight candidates who were among the 1800 shortlisted for teaching jobs under the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) have tested positive for banned substances and have consequently lost their positions in the recruitment process.
According to a statement released on Monday by Sam Onile, the Press Secretary of TESCOM, the affected applicants tested positive for drugs including benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana and amphetamine, all of which are deemed dangerous to the human health.
Onile stated that the drug screening, conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), was backed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as part of a rigorous vetting process to ensure that only qualified and responsible individuals were entrusted with teaching the state’s children.
“A major implication of this development is that the affected individuals will be replaced by the candidates who are next to them in performance from their respective local government areas,” the statement quoted Chairman, Bello Taoheed Abubakar as saying.
“The idea is to send an unmistaken message about the state government’s zero tolerance for drug abuse.
“We have a duty of care not to expose little children to drug abuse under any circumstance,” Abubakar added.
The TESCOM boss applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to merit-based recruitment and for upholding standards in the state’s education sector.
“Again, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has etched his name in gold for again insisting that recruitment into the teaching profession should be strictly meritorious and devoid of any practices that may jeopardize quality learning in our schools.
“He has also proven that he is a man who is sold to giving every Kwaran a fair chance,” Onile noted.
