The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has absorbed 637 teachers and other personnel into the state public teaching service, directing them to report at their assigned duty posts within one week or risk forfeiting their appointments.

The Chairman of the Board, Princess Ademulegun Olufunmilayo Brown, gave the directive while addressing the beneficiaries during the distribution of their appointment letters.

Brown described the absorption as an important step towards strengthening manpower and improving the quality of basic education across the state.
She urged the newly absorbed personnel to demonstrate professionalism, discipline, punctuality and dedication, describing their appointments as both a privilege and a call to service.

The SUBEB chairman stressed that teachers had a critical responsibility not only to impart knowledge but also to shape the character and future of pupils.

She charged them to familiarise themselves with the rules governing the Ondo State Public Service and the teaching profession, while embracing continuous professional development and effective teaching practices.
Brown warned that failure to report at their respective duty posts within one week of receiving their appointment letters could result in forfeiture of the employment opportunity, subject to applicable regulations.

She appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for approving the absorption, saying the initiative reflected his administration's commitment to addressing staffing gaps in public schools under the OUR EASE Agenda.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, said the absorption exercise was conducted to address outstanding issues arising from last year's recruitment exercise and ensure that qualified personnel were properly captured.

She disclosed that the screening covered the three senatorial districts, with more than 1,000 applications and related correspondence attended to.

Bayo-Ilawole maintained that the exercise was conducted without bias or prejudice, in accordance with the principles of fairness, transparency and equal opportunity.

She urged the beneficiaries to complete and submit all necessary documents for proper integration into the Board's administrative system.
The Permanent Secretary also warned against surrogate teaching, stressing that no teacher would be permitted to delegate his or her official responsibilities to another person.

She said anyone found engaging in the practice would face disciplinary action.

In their goodwill messages, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Ayodele Samuel-Leke, and the State Chairman of the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Comrade Olakunle Akintoroye, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to uphold the ethics and dignity of the teaching profession.

They also advised the newly absorbed personnel to remain law-abiding, respect constituted authority and demonstrate commitment to improving the standard of basic education in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Fajana Recheal, Mrs Olugboji Funmilayo and Mrs Adenike Oluwaseun expressed appreciation to the state government and SUBEB for the opportunity, promising to justify the confidence reposed in them through dedication and exemplary service.