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Level 16 secondary school teachers in Edo State yesterday boycotted the competency test conducted by Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) for civil servants.
It was learnt that about 900 teachers and other civil servants in various ministries of the state were expected to participate in the examination but, only about 200 were present at the examination hall, as the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) teachers reportedly chased away some teachers who had presented themselves for the examination.
Placards carrying teachers in their numbers had gathered outside the Imaguero College on Sapele Road, venue of the examination, to protest the state government’s decision to conduct the examination.
Secretary of ASUSS, Mr. John Isibor, said the title of the letter: ‘Invitation to Write Competency Test’ made them to worry about the true intention of the government, adding that competency test was meant for new job seekers and not for old workers about to retire from service.
Meanwhile, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who spoke to newsmen after monitoring the examination, said it was not compulsory for the teachers.
The governor said it was unfortunate that many teachers failed to understand details of the examination and ruled out any promotion for those who did no participate in the examination
“It is not competency test. It is part of strengthening the civil service. The test is part of promotion exercise. They are already competent and that is why they are working and in the service.
“What we want to do is to see which area they need to be strengthened. The first one we had was for level 16 and 17. From that examination, some were very good and we used them to fill exiting vacancies of directors and permanent secretaries,” he said.
