FG to employ .5m teachers in 2016

In order to address the chronic shortage of teachers in public schools across the country, the Federal Government has said it will in 2016 employ about 500, 000 teachers.

“We also will partner with State and Local Governments to recruit, train and deploy 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders. These graduate teachers will be deployed to primary schools, thereby, enhancing the provision of basic education especially in our rural areas,” President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on the occasion of 2016 budget presentation.

According to him, the 2016 budget, if passed, will ensure the revival of the economy, deliver inclusive growth to Nigerians and create a significant number of jobs.

He said: “We aim to ensure macroeconomic stability by achieving a real GDP growth rate of 4.37% and managing inflation. To achieve this, we will ensure the aligning of fiscal, monetary, trade and industrial policies.

“As we focus on inclusive growth, we are conscious of the current rate of unemployment and underemployment. This is a challenge we are determined to meet; and this budget is the platform for putting more Nigerians to work.

“I can assure you that this administration will have a job creation focus in every aspect of the execution of this budget. Nigeria’s job creation drive will be private sector led. We will encourage this by a reduction in tax rates for smaller businesses as well as subsidized funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals.”