The attention of the Edo State Ministry of Education has been drawn to a publication by a civil society group alleging that teachers in some schools are being directed to cut grass and carry out menial maintenance tasks on the instruction of the Ministry.
The Ministry wishes to state clearly that it strongly frowns at such practice. At no time did the Ministry issue any directive compelling teachers to engage in menial labour. Information available to us suggests that what occurred in a few cases may have been voluntary acts of community service by some teachers. Nevertheless, a full-scale investigation has been ordered to get to the root of the matter, and any abnormality will be corrected without delay.
The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains resolute in safeguarding the dignity, rights, and welfare of teachers. Their primary duty is the transfer of knowledge, and we discourage in the strongest terms any attempt to coerce or divert teachers into roles that do not directly enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
We also urge members of the public to be wary of those who may seek to discredit the Ministry in light of ongoing reforms designed to block unwholesome practices and ensure that education truly serves the common man and the child from humble beginnings.
This administration is fully committed to ensuring that every Edo child receives quality education and that every Edo teacher can be proud of their profession. This commitment is already evident in policies such as the recent increase in teachers’ minimum wage, the regularisation of casual teachers into full staff after three years, provision of teachers’ quarters in some schools, as well as sustained investment in training and retraining.
