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Interview With Hon. Dr.
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AUGUSTINA YAHAYA
AUGUSTINA YAHAYA
OMMISSIONER OF EDUC
OMMISSIONER OF EDUC
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THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION TARABA STATE. . .
THE C
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Gadfly: Honourable, we are
really honoured to have this
interview with you, and we
c o m m e n d y o u f o r y o u r
r e l e n t l e s s w o r k a s t h e
Commissioner of Education of
Taraba State. Can you kindly
tell us something about
yourself for the sake of our
audience?
Commissioner: I am Augustina
Godwin Yahaya, a teacher by due to the level of malpractices done at that period. The
profession. I have taught from consequence of this is the production of literarily
Nursery school to the University “illiterate” Nigerians who have no real knowledge of what
l e v e l . I s t u d i e d P r i m a r y they ought to know, and also a deepening of corruption in
Education Studies and Christian Nigeria. Honourable, what is your take on this matter and
Religious Studies at the Federal how can it be overcome?
Co l l e g e o f Ed u c a t i o n Yo l a ,
between 1994-1997. Afterwards, I Commissioner: The nature of the conduct of our public
proceeded to the prestigious examination is a matter of great concern indeed. The leakage
Catholic University of Eastern of WAEC & NECO questions and the provisions of answers to
Africa Nairobi, where I read students during these exams havefurther taken away from
English and Christian Religious our children the value of hard work and academic excellence.
Education between 2005-2008. I Our children rarely have any ‘positive exam anxiety’ for
joined the university system upcoming exams because they know, the miracle centres will
when I got employed by the do everything for them. The impact that the teaching and
Taraba State University in 2010 as learning process has on personality development of our
a Graduate Assistant. I hold a children is lost. That is why such candidates, even when they
masters degree and a PhD in make it to the tertiary institutions, lack the maturity for
Educational Psychology both meaningful contribution to the society. The impact holistic
obtained from the renowned academic formation has on the human character is also lost.
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I
am currently the first female As a stakeholder in education, I feel this burden in my heart
C o m m i s s i o n e r e v e r f o r because generations of talented Nigerians go through life
Education in Taraba State, since without getting the necessary nurturing environment that
July 2023. So far so good, the will enable their natural endowment develop to full potential.
e x p e r i e n c e h a s b e e n To overcome this, families and all stake holders in education
adventurous, fascinating and must resolve to continue to stress the need for discipline,
humbling. Above all, I thank God hardwork, commitment to duty, integrity and the joy of
for giving me the opportunity to learning. The training and retraining of teachers is of
serve my State in this capacity. paramount importance, welfare packages for teachers
cannot be overemphasised, which when put in place, will
Gadfly: The present situation facilitate optimum job performance. With proper incentives,
regarding the conduct of SSCE adequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms put in
exams in Nigeria with specific place, the teachers will do their work, and learners will learn
reference to WAEC AND NECO and confidently sit for any examination. Hunger and poverty
exams is something worth is part of the reasons why teachers do not do their jobs well.
worrying about. The status of When teachers’ salaries and promotions are implemented
t h e s e e x a m s h a v e b e e n regularly, teachers will work harder and better. The neglect of
reduced to mere classworks teachers at the basic level of education will continue to give
and take-home assignments the education sector in Nigeria a faulty and shaky foundation.