Edo Govt Probes Claim Teachers Asked To Cut Grass In Schools

The Edo State Government on Monday said it has begun an investigation into reports that some teachers were instructed to carry out menial maintenance work, such as cutting grass in schools.

A civil society group had alleged that the Ministry of Education directed teachers to engage in such activities, sparking concerns over the treatment of educators.

However, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, the ministry described the claim as “unwholesome”.

He said the government discourages any practice that undermines the dignity of teachers.

“Though information at our disposal suggests that it was a voluntary CSR from some teachers, we have ordered a full-scale investigation into this action.

“We assure our esteemed teachers that we will get to the root of the matter and correct any abnormality in whatever form,” Iyamu said.

He stressed that the priority of teachers is classroom learning, not menial labour.

“We want to discourage in very strong terms teachers forcibly engaging in or being used to engage in tasks that do not directly correlate with strengthening knowledge and learning outcomes,” the statement added.

The commissioner also cautioned the public against attempts to “smear the name of the Ministry”.

Iyamu reiterated that the state government is committed to improving the welfare of teachers, citing minimum wage increases, conversion of casual teachers to full staff after three years, provision of teachers’ quarters, and continuous training programmes.

“Every Edo child deserves quality education, and every Edo teacher must be proud to be an Edo teacher,” he said.

Edo Govt Probes Claim Teachers Asked To Cut Grass In Schools is first published on The Whistler Newspaper