The Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has disqualified at least eight prospective teachers after they failed mandatory drug screening tests administered during the recruitment process. These individuals, who were among the 1,800 shortlisted applicants vying for teaching positions across the state, tested positive for various illicit and harmful substances, prompting their immediate removal from the list of successful candidates.
In a statement released on Monday, Sam Onile, the Press Secretary to TESCOM, confirmed that the drug tests revealed the presence of dangerous substances, including benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana, and amphetamine, in the systems of the affected individuals. Each of these substances is known to impair cognitive and behavioral functions, posing serious risks to both users and those under their influence.
NDLEA Screening Validates Commitment to Safe Learning Environments
The drug tests were conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and formed a core part of the vetting process approved by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. According to Onile, the initiative reflects the state government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring that only responsible, qualified, and drug-free individuals are entrusted with the critical task of educating schoolchildren.
Highlighting the rationale behind this measure, TESCOM Chairman Bello Taoheed Abubakar emphasized the importance of safeguarding young minds from potential exposure to substance abuse. “We have a duty of care not to expose little children to drug abuse under any circumstance,” he stated. “This policy sends a clear and firm message about the state’s zero tolerance for drug use, especially within its education sector.”
Disqualified Applicants to Be Replaced by Next-Highest Performers
Following the disqualification of the eight candidates, TESCOM has moved swiftly to ensure that vacancies created by their removal will be filled. Chairman Abubakar explained that the commission would replace the affected individuals with candidates who ranked next in line based on performance within their respective local government areas. This approach, he noted, ensures fairness and continuity while upholding the recruitment’s integrity.
“This development reinforces our commitment to selecting only the best candidates through a merit-driven process,” Abubakar remarked. “There is no room for compromise when it comes to the well-being of our students or the credibility of our education system.”
Governor’s Leadership Draws Praise for Merit-Based Recruitment
The TESCOM Chairman and other education stakeholders have commended Governor AbdulRazaq for championing transparency and merit in public recruitment. Onile, in his statement, applauded the governor for prioritizing high standards and fairness in selecting new teachers, noting that such practices reflect the administration’s broader goals for educational reform and development.
“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has again etched his name in gold by insisting on a recruitment process rooted in merit and free of any malpractice,” Onile stated. “This commitment to fairness gives every Kwaran a genuine opportunity to succeed, and it helps build trust in public service appointments.”
The governor’s approach has also helped reinforce public confidence in the state’s education system, particularly as it works to raise the quality of teaching in public schools. Under his leadership, Kwara State has invested heavily in education, introducing reforms aimed at improving teacher training, school infrastructure, and student outcomes.
A Broader Push Against Drug Abuse in Public Institutions
The exclusion of drug-positive candidates highlights a growing national effort to curb drug abuse in sensitive public institutions. By embedding drug testing into the recruitment process, Kwara TESCOM joins a rising number of agencies using pre-employment screening to protect institutional integrity and ensure safety for vulnerable populations, such as children.
This proactive step aligns with the federal government’s broader anti-drug campaign, led by the NDLEA, which has advocated for rigorous drug testing across critical sectors, including education, healthcare, law enforcement, and public administration.
For TESCOM, this policy reflects a deeper recognition of how substance abuse among educators could erode both academic quality and moral responsibility in classrooms. Officials believe that even a single teacher under the influence poses an unacceptable risk to the development and safety of students.
Looking Ahead: Upholding Educational Standards
As the state prepares to induct the final batch of successful applicants into its teaching workforce, TESCOM reaffirmed its intention to keep improving the quality of education through professional and ethical hiring practices. The commission remains committed to transparency, accountability, and zero compromise on teacher suitability.
The rigorous drug screening process marks a defining moment in Kwara’s education recruitment strategy, setting a precedent for how state institutions can actively protect children from negative influences and promote a culture of excellence and responsibility.
For many observers, this decision sends a powerful signal: the days of unchecked recruitment and lowered standards in education are coming to an end, at least in Kwara. With firm leadership and systemic reforms, the state appears determined to build an education sector rooted in integrity, discipline, and high performance.
