Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday said teachers in the state ought to do the bidding of their employers, the state government, by writing the Teachers’ Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) test prescribed for them. House Information Committee Chairman, Hon. Omowumi Ogunlola, said “I do not believe that teachers who examine students should shy away from being examined to prove they are qualified and competent.”
Ogunlola told journalists at an interactive session to round off the first year anniversary of the legislative body that the assembly had mediated in the matter, but that the teachers should conform to what their employers want.
The 16, 000 teachers in the state had on Monday, claiming that the state government was planning to sack them, shunned the TDNA test which the government said was aimed at building teachers’ capacity and knowing areas where they need assistance.
The lawmaker, who said the assembly had fared well in the last one year passing 29 bills, assured that the foundation for better things to come had been laid in the state.
She said just as members had started working on bills to be sponsored in the House, the assembly would step up on its oversight functions, adding “We will go out to see the performance of the budget.”
The lawmaker also justified the vote of confidence passed by the assembly on Governor Kayode Fayemi during its special session on Wednesday, saying it was meant to spur him into more action by performing better as the state chief executive.
She also assured that all the 29 bills already passed into law by the assembly in the last one year would be enrolled at the judiciary for them to be enforceable in the application of laws and have meaningful impacts on the people.
By Abiodun Nejo
This article was first published in National Mirror on June 8, 2012
Last modified: June 8, 2012
