Teacher Recruitment and retention in Lagos, Nigeria Tola Olujuwon Department of Educational Foundations and Administration, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos. Email:olutola.olujuwon@aocoed.edu.ng

Background and context Recruitment and selection is an important factor for success in organisation as qualified and competent individuals are needed to improve and sustains organizational performance and goals. It is the mechanism used in organization for continuity in the workplace due to retirement, deployment of staff in order to fill the vacuum created especially in the complex teaching profession.

Background and context contd Recruitment is the process of identifying and attracting or encouraging qualified and suitable candidates to fill positions in an organisation based on vacancies (Peretomode & Peretomode, 2001:34). The purpose of recruitment is to attract and retain the interest of applicants suitable for the given job and to create a positive image of the people who come in contact with the organization.

Section 79(a) of the National Policy on Education (NPE) 2013 editions requires the appointment of academically and professionally qualified persons as teachers and head teachers in public secondary schools

Map of Lagos Source:https://www.theinfostride.com/2017/07/pssdc-collaborate-with-lasu-for-certificate-course-in-local- government-administration/

Information about Lagos Lagos State is the smallest state in Nigeria and the former capital of Nigeria. Economically, the state is one of the most powerful with the largest urban population which is 27.4% of the national estimate. The population stands at over 20 million people. The economy is dominated by manufacturing, Transport, Construction, wholesale and retail

Information on Lagos Lagos is the economic powerhouse of the Nigerian economy contributing 62% to national non-oil GDP. It has local and international airports and seaports. Its GDP in 2010 was around $80billion Lagos offers free education and this attracts children from neighbouring states. Civil servants receive their salary on the 22/23rd of every month (Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning (2013). Lagos State Dev, Plan 2012- 2025.

Recruitment process The need to identify the recruitment needs of the organization and to define each job and the conditions of employment. Also, there is the need to set out the job specification as well as identification of the sources of application. In addition, the organisation needs to choose the recruitment methods, the review of application forms and resumes, the conduct of preliminary interviews and finally to prepare a short list of candidates.

Lagos Recruitment Process There must be an order from the Governor of the State concerning recruitment of teachers for primary and secondary schools and the numbers to be recruited. Eg. Ambode approves recruitment of 1,200 teachers. Punch Newspapers 4th August 2018. https://punchng.com/ambode-approves- recruitment-of-1200-teachers/ Applicants are expected to visit the State Government job portal http://jobs.lagosstate.gov.ng 

Lagos Recruitment Procee At the portal, applicants are expected to scan their passport photo and submit relevant information. An example of the form is below:

Lagos Recruitment process A selection committee will be put in place to screen applicants SMS will be sent to shortlisted candidates to attend oral and written interviews. At the oral interviews, due to the large numbers of candidates 5-10 of them will face the panelist at the same time, one or two questions will be asked, before they are dismissed. The written interview could be on note of lesson preparation or practical teaching based on subject area. List of successful candidates will be pasted at board/ministry notice boards.

Lagos Recruitment process contd The criteria for selecting new employees in a school include knowledge of subject matter, physical appearance, verbal ability and medical fitness. Successful candidates will be posted to school and then required to go for two months training at Lagos State Public Services Staff Development Centre,Magodo. They will be attached to a teacher for monitoring and assessment and the report will be sent to the principal.

Retention of Teachers Job security (no retrenchment or irrelevant sack) Prompt payment of salary on the 22nd or 23rd of every month. Payment of promotion areas without delay Training and re-training of teachers locally and internationally Opportunity to pursue higher degrees Payment of retirement benefits

Retention of Teachers Opportunity to become Permanent Secretary/ Tutor General. Access to loans through co-operatives Impact of teachers in the community

Conclusion The Lagos State Government shouild put in place an effective recruitment strategies, effective teamwork and transparency as these will enhance individual and organisation achievement. A poorly recruitment and selection process will affect the organisation from achieving its stated goals and objectives as well as an individual development There should be high quality induction of teachers Training and re-training of teachers should be continous.