Members of the Edo State Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (Edostar) have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to absorb them as permanent teachers into the state public service.

The group, in a letter jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Joel Osaro and Austine Omookhefe, said they have been teaching for over three years and pleaded with the governor to regularise their appointment.

They stated that it would be unfair to push them aside based on their training and knowledge acquired within these years, especially when they are the pillars holding all public schools in the state.

“The appeal is borne out of our zeal and dedication to this job as Edostar Fellows. We have dedicated our time and left some of our loved ones to stations where we are posted.

“Some of our members died during the process of our engagement as Edostar Fellows, while some had miscarriages due to the rigorous Computer Based Test (CBT) examination. Besides, we have been trained and engaged in the fellowship programme for three years,” the group stated.

They pointed out that some of their members gave up their admission to study other programmes and opted for education courses during the three years with the hope of being absorbed into public service.

“To discredit us is to discredit the government schools and institutions that raised us, and discredit all our efforts and time we have put into this fellowship programme.

The group reminded the governor of his promise to recruit at least 5000 teachers before his 100 days in office, and make all Edostar Fellows permanent staff by absorbing them into public service.