– Reaffirms zero tolerance for substance abuse
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Eight candidates recently shortlisted for teaching jobs by the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), have been disqualified after testing positive for banned substances, the Commission announced on Monday.
The disqualified individuals were among the over 1,800 candidates selected in the ongoing recruitment process.
They tested positive for hard drugs, including tramadol, marijuana, amphetamine, benzodiazepine, and cotinine substances, considered dangerous and outlawed under Nigerian drug laws.
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TESCOM Chairman, Bello Abubakar, who disclosed this in a statement, said the drug tests were conducted in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with full backing from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“This exercise is a clear message that the Kwara State Government, has zero tolerance for drug abuse, especially in our schools,” Abubakar said. “We cannot afford to expose school children to individuals struggling with drug issues. Our priority is the safety and well-being of our pupils.”
He explained that the affected candidates would be replaced with the next best-performing applicants from their respective local government areas, in line with the government’s commitment to fairness and merit.
Abubakar praised the governor’s stance on transparent and merit-based recruitment into the education sector, saying, “Governor AbdulRazaq, has once again demonstrated his commitment to quality education and equal opportunity for all Kwarans. His insistence on due process continues to strengthen public confidence in government-led recruitment efforts.”
The ongoing TESCOM recruitment exercise has been widely regarded as one of the most competitive and transparent in recent years.
