By Ken Chiwendu
No fewer than eight of the 1,800 candidates shortlisted for teaching positions under the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission( TESCOM )were disqualified after failing drug test.
TESCOM Press Secretary, Sam Onile, made this known on Monday in a statement.
He quoted the Chairman of the Commission, Bello Abubakar as saying that the disqualified applicants tested positive for drugs, including benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana, and amphetamine.
The tests were conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with support from the state government.
The statement read, “The drug test was conducted by the NDLEA with the full support of 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,” the statement said.
“The idea is to send an unmistakable 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 circumstances.”
The TESCOM chairman praised AbdulRazaq for insisting on a merit-based recruitment process, noting that the governor had again demonstrated fairness and commitment to quality education in the state.
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