Oyo Teachers Protest N7,000 Fee for Promotion and Confirmation
Oyo Teachers Protest N7,000 Fee for Promotion and Confirmation
The Oyo state government is facing criticism for imposing a N7,000 fee on teachers for appointment confirmation and promotion exams. The decision has sparked strong reactions from human rights activists.
The fee has been described as extortion and a violation of civil service rules. Activists say it is wrong to ask newly recruited teachers to pay before their appointment can be confirmed. The government is expected to provide the necessary conditions for teachers to perform their duties, including conducting exams for confirmation or promotion.
The controversy began after the state Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, issued a circular on the 2025 Promotion Exercise. While the circular suggested that payment was not compulsory, the Nigerian Union of Teachers in Oyo state instructed teachers to pay N7,000 for the seven-paper exam.
ALSO READ :Federal Government Bans Admission and Transfer into SS3
Experts explained that newly recruited teachers should be automatically confirmed after three months of service without writing any exam. Introducing an exam with a required payment is seen as an attempt to exploit teachers. While promotion exams can assess teachers’ expertise, the government should bear the cost.
The situation is worsened by ongoing issues with teacher salaries. Many newly recruited teachers have not received full payment after months of service. Some were forced to open specific bank accounts, which caused delays in accessing their salaries.
Activists have urged TESCOM and the state government to immediately withdraw the fee, emphasizing that teachers should not be forced to pay to perform their jobs. The directive has raised concerns over teachers’ rights and the enforcement of civil service rules in Oyo state.
Content Credit : Boluwatife Abiola
Image Credit : Google. Com
