The Ekiti State Government has approved the promotion of more than 5,000 public primary school teachers, including 231 head teachers who were elevated to Grade Level 16 for the first time in the state’s history.
The development marks a significant milestone in the state’s education sector and fulfills a pledge earlier made by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to align the status of primary school head teachers with their counterparts in the core civil service.
Presenting promotion letters to the beneficiaries over the weekend, the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, described the exercise as a landmark achievement that reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening basic education.
According to him, the promotions demonstrate the government’s determination to reward dedication, professionalism and excellence among teachers who have contributed significantly to the development of education in the state.
Akinwumi said the initiative underscores the priority placed on education by Governor Oyebanji’s administration and its resolve to improve learning outcomes through better teacher welfare and motivation.
“This monumental event underscores the unwavering commitment of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration to enhancing the quality of education in Ekiti State,” he said.
The SUBEB chairman urged the promoted teachers to justify the confidence reposed in them by maintaining high professional standards and remaining committed to delivering quality instruction in the classroom.
He noted that education remains a defining legacy for which Ekiti State is widely recognised and assured that the government would continue to implement policies aimed at strengthening the sector.
Akinwumi further commended the governor for fulfilling his promise to elevate head teachers to Grade Level 16, noting that the promotion of 231 head teachers represents the first time administrators of public primary schools in the state would attain that level within the public service structure.
He added that Ekiti State currently records one of the lowest rates of out-of-school children in Nigeria, attributing the achievement to sustained investments in education infrastructure, teacher capacity development and policies that support a conducive learning environment.
The SUBEB chairman expressed optimism that the promotion exercise would significantly boost teachers’ morale and enhance academic performance in public primary schools across the state.
Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke after receiving their promotion letters, expressed appreciation to the state government for the gesture, describing it as unprecedented.
They pledged to remain dedicated to their responsibilities and to continue contributing to the advancement of quality education in Ekiti State.
