CLAIM: There is a new policy of [teacher] deployment that they absorbed (sic) in order to reduce the staff crisis in the nation.
SOURCE: WhatsApp Message
VERDICT: False
In a WhatsApp message that widely circulated before March 10 and even after, the writer advised unemployed teachers who qualified between 2015 and 2023 to visit the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Ministry of Education offices to be considered for ongoing recruitment. The author further claimed that there was a new deployment policy aimed at absorbing teachers to reduce their shortage in the country.
‘All those who trained as teachers between 2015 and 2023 but are still unemployed please go to the nearest Public service offices or the Education offices say on Monday,’ read the message.
‘Recruitments are ongoing now. There is a new policy of deployment that they absorbed in order to reduce the staff crisis in the nation. Thank you. Tell someone to tell someone.’
In an X (formerly Twitter) on 17 March 2025, PSC dismissed the WhatsApp message as ‘fake news’.
‘The PSC wishes to advise its valuable stakeholders to disregard the fake news circulating on social media claiming that the PSC has implemented a new deployment policy targeting teachers,’ read the PSC message.
The commission explained that its employment practices continue to be through the same official channels, urging job seekers to verify any job offers or recruitment announcements through official channels.
‘Prospective employees are advised to register through the PSC Online Registration or visit any PSC offices for assistance,’ added the commission.
Tell tale signs that the message is a scam/fake:
- Lack of Specificity:
- It’s vague. It doesn’t mention specific locations, required documents, or official contact information.
- Saying ‘on Monday’ without specifying which Monday, date or year is a red flag.
- Urgency and Pressure:
- The phrase “Recruitments are on going now” creates a sense of urgency, pressuring people to act quickly without verifying the information. Scammers often use this tactic.
- “Tell someone to tell someone” is a classic sign of chain mail or a scam.
- Unusual Dissemination:
- Official government announcements are typically made through official channels, such as government websites, official social media accounts, and press releases. Relying on a forwarded message is highly suspicious.
- Broad Scope:
- A sudden, nationwide recruitment of all unemployed teachers from an eight-year range is highly unlikely without significant prior announcement and media coverage.
- Public Service Offices or the Education offices:
- This statement is too general. A real announcement would list the specific offices, and or contact information.
In summary, the message’s vagueness, urgency, informal language, and questionable dissemination methods are strong indicators of a scam.
Conclusion
The claim: ‘There is a new policy of [teacher] deployment that they absorbed (sic) in order to reduce the staff crisis in the nation,’ is false. The PSC, the body responsible for the recruitment of civil servants has since dismissed it as ‘fake,’ further urging stakeholders to treat it with the contempt it deserves.
