Kwara TESCOM: Eight shortlisted teaching candidates fail drug test

The Kwara Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has announced that eight candidates out of the 1,800 shortlisted for teaching jobs have tested positive for outlawed drugs, leading to their automatic disqualification.

A statement released by TESCOM Press Secretary, Sam Onile, on Monday in Ilorin, confirmed that these candidates have lost their job slots, which will now be offered to the next best-performing candidates in the competitive recruitment process.

According to Onile, TESCOM Chairman, Bello Taoheed, disclosed that the candidates tested positive for hard drugs including benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana, and amphetamine, all deemed unsafe for human health.

He stated that the drug tests were conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (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,” Taoheed explained.

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“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 circumstance.”

He further praised Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to merit-based recruitment, stating, “Again, Gov. AbdulRazaq has etched his name in gold for insisting that recruitment into the teaching profession should be strictly meritorious and devoid of any practices that may jeopardise quality learning in our schools.

He has also proven that he is a man who is sold to giving every Kwaran a fair chance.“