Schools in riverine communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, are set to experience a boost in quality education as the Mr. Egbejule Arerebo Kingsley-led Gbaramatu Youth Council (GYC) in collaboration with the Tompolo Foundation, have begun the deployment of community-based teachers to various communities in the kingdom.

The deployment exercise witnessed the presentation of Offer and Appointment letters to successful candidates at the defunct EGCDF's (Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation) office in Warri, on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

Recall that the recruitment exercise for teachers spurred by the degrading quality of education in schools across the riverine kingdom due to insufficient teachers asides poor infrastructures, began on October 13, 2024.

According to the GYC Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.), Comr. Wuruyai Maxwell, the first deployment of teachers, which is the phase one, is to the communities of Oporoza, Benikrukru, Okerenkoko, Kokodiagbene and Kunukunuma, with other deployment to follow later, citing reasons on the issue of accommodation from the community end.

In addition, the GYC Secretary, Comr. Erike Raphael, while addressing the recruited teachers, appealed to them to strictly abide by the stipulated terms of condition of service as contained in their letters.

Also, during the briefing, the Chairman of the recruitment committee, Chief Uduboh Wellington, disclosed that among the candidates that were invited for screening and interview, "about 200 persons were interviewed for the purpose of teaching schools in Gbaramatu Kingdom" and that among those who emerged sone are to be posted hence the deployment exercise.

The Chairman also reminded the recruited community-based teachers that part of the criteria for selecting successful candidates for the teaching job was centered on their abilities to cope with the nature of the riverine areas, while urging them to prepare their minds for the job as they begin deployment across selected schools in the phase one.

Earlier, the councillor representing Kunukunuma Ward in the Legislative Arm of Warri South-West LG Council, House Leader Rt. Hon. Ekpemupolo Idukedoumene Samuel, charged those who are to be deployed to put in their best in the teaching profession to help bridge the wide gap between education in the riverine and urban areas.

While congratulating them the legislative leader also urged successful applicants to always reach out to their employer, particularly the leadership of the GYC, on any challenges they might encounter during their stay, while being mindful of the fact that it is the pain of the people that necessitated the recruitment hence they should live above expectations.

A government head teacher in one of the communities, Rev. Idudhe Oreva, said, "I am one of the pioneer teachers in Kokodiagbene Secondary School, Kokodiagbene. I started in 2016. I am Isoko by tribe. I was telling my friend that I would like to end my teaching career in Gbaramatu because the place is okay, having that belief that the same spirit is going to be imparted in you as you work," he added.

Quoting Proverbs 22:29, Pastor Oreva who urged the recruited teachers "to be diligent as you don't know where grace can pick you wherever you are" and for them to avoid "taking the job with laxity", also tasked them to ask questions to know about the people and the area. 

The GYC Vice President, Elder Stephen Uyas Epiri, who earlier, on behalf of the President assured the recruited teachers of their welfare, later did the presentation of letters to the deployed teachers.

Other stakeholders' in the education sector also admonished those being deployed to obey the rules and regulations guiding the communities in wherever they will be posted to and to focus on the purpose of why they are being there.

Among representatives of the affected schools in attendance are the Principal of Okerenkoko Secondary School, Emurashe Sunday Emo, represented by Endurance Uttoh; the Principal of Gbaraun Grammar School, Abel Ogidiagba, represented by Comrade F. T. Sawasha; Head Teacher of Ebiabu Primary School, Kokodiagbene, Ejovi Happy.

Others are; Head Teacher of Fiyewei Primary School Oporoza, Mosomi Emmanuel; Vice Principal of Kokodiagbene Secondary School, kokodiagbene, Rev Oreva Idudhe; Head Teacher of Ogeh Primary School, Kunukunuma, Mr David Legbe; and Head Teacher, Oboro Primary School, Benikrukru, Comr Ogwara Gabriel.

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