PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Ministry of Education has announced that the ongoing recruitment drive to hire an additional 5,000 basic education teachers is ahead of schedule.

This expansion follows the successful orientation of the state's latest batch of 1,000 instructors. Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, confirmed that the ministry expects to finalize the vetting process within weeks.

According to the ministry, this massive influx of education professionals is designed to completely eradicate the teacher-to-pupil deficit across public primary and junior secondary institutions state-wide.

Dr. Nwagor explained that the recruitment process has been rigorous, ensuring that only qualified and passionate educators are selected. "We are not just filling positions; we are investing in the future of our children. Each teacher recruited has been thoroughly vetted for competence and character," he said.

The recruitment exercise, which began three months ago, has seen over 15,000 applications from qualified candidates across the state. The selection process includes written examinations, oral interviews, and background verification.

RSUBEB Chairman, Dr. Smith Oshi, added that the new teachers would be deployed to schools with the highest student-to-teacher ratios. "Our data-driven approach ensures that resources are allocated where they are needed most. Every child in Rivers State deserves access to quality education," he emphasized.

The ministry has also announced plans to provide additional training for the newly recruited teachers, focusing on modern teaching methodologies and digital literacy.

Teacher unions in the state have lauded the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward addressing the long-standing teacher shortage in public schools.