Edo State government official, Dr. Maureen O. Ekhoragbon who reportedly issued a circular, directing teachers in public schools to cut grasses, few months ago, has been relived of her duties as Chairman, Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board.
Musa Ikhilo, Secretary to the State, conveyed the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo in a statement on Monday.
In her stead, Governor has the appointment of Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Otibho Erewele, according to the statement, which however did not State reason behind its action.
Ekhoragbon is from Edo South Senatorial District of the State, while Erewele who is an accomplished educationist and administrator with over two decades of progressive experience in Nigeria’s education sector”, hails from Edo Central Senatorial District in Edo State.
Recall that the State had ordered a full-scale investigation into allegations that teachers in public schools are being compelled to clear bushes, cut grass and perform other menial jobs at the directive of the Ministry of Education.
The probe follows a protest statement by the Edo Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights, which described the practice as degrading, unconstitutional and a violation of teachers’ dignity.
The right group accused the Ministry of Education of turning schools into “forced labour camps” and demanded an immediate end to the practice.
Coordinator-General of the coalition, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, and Secretary-General, Comrade Hon. Aghatise Raphael, said forcing teachers into menial labour was “educational slavery” and a breach of Section 34(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits forced or compulsory labour.
The coalition also demanded that the government employ adequate support staff such as gardeners, cleaners and janitors to maintain schools, and called for transparency in the use of funds allocated for school maintenance.
In a previous reaction to the scandal, the Ministry of Education distanced itself from the allegations, describing them as unfounded and against the government’s effort to restore the dignity of teachers in the state.
The ministry, however, confirmed that some teachers might have engaged in school maintenance as a voluntary corporate social responsibility.
Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy E. Iyamu, in a statement, said the government had ordered an investigation to ascertain the truth of the matter and assured teachers that any abnormalities discovered would be corrected.
He emphasized that the priority of teachers is the transfer of knowledge and not tasks unrelated to learning outcomes.
The commissioner urged teachers to remain committed to academic excellence and the public to disregard attempts to smear the ministry’s image.
He stressed that the reforms under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration were designed to strengthen public education and ensure every Edo child has access to quality learning.
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