Lagos State Government on Tuesday announced that it intends to hire about 500 graduates who are competent in core subjects such as English Language, Mathematics and the core sciences.

Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Prince Adebisi Sarah Sosan made the announcement at a press conference in Lagos, addressed along with other members of the state executive council.

She said the state hopes to shortlist 1000 graduates who are competent in the core subject areas out of which over 500 will be selected.

She said that the lucky 500 will undergo a mandatory four weeks intensive training on teaching practice since those to be employed only have either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) or a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree.

She said that those that will be retained will be given the privilege of obtaining a post graduate degree in education immediately after their employment.

She said the state government opted to recruit graduates in those subject areas since most of the problems encountered by students arise from those subjects adding that teachers already in employment in the state would be happy about the innovation since they are already overstretched due to shortage in manpower.

Sosan explained that the state could not employ adequate teachers in those subjects during the last recruitment exercise organised by the state.

Other members of the Lagos State Executive Council at the briefing include, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, that of Science and Technology, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation, Mr. Ade Ipaye and Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Paul Kalejaye.