At least eight of the 1,800 candidates shortlisted by the Kwara Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) have tested positive to outlawed drugs.
They have, therefore, automatically lost their slots to the next best candidates in the highly competitive exercise.
The chairman of TESCOM, Bello Abubakar, said that the eight shortlisted candidates tested positive for hard drugs such as benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana, and amphetamine — all of which are considered unsafe for human health.
The drug test was conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with the support of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“A major implication of this development is that the affected individuals will be replaced by the candidates who are next to them in performance from their respective local government areas,” Abubakar said.
“The idea is to send an unmistaken message about the state government’s zero tolerance for drug abuse. We have a duty of care not to expose little children to drug abuse under any circumstance.
“Again, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has etched his name in gold for again insisting that recruitment into the teaching profession should be strictly meritorious and devoid of any practices that may jeopardize quality learning in our schools. He has also proven that he is a man who is sold to giving every Kwaran a fair chance,” the TESCOM boss added.
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