…Orders Immediate Screening In Schools
By JUMAI NWACHUKWU
Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, has restated the government’s commitment to addressing the persistent problem of absenteeism among teachers in schools.
Speaking during an interview, Ezewu emphasized that the governor Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has embarked on a significant screening exercise aimed at identifying and addressing issues of staff absenteeism, abandonment of duty posts, and dereliction of responsibilities among both teaching and non-teaching staff.
According to the Commissioner, the state has observed an alarming rise in cases of absconded teachers who abandon their posts, leaving students without proper guidance and disrupting the educational process. This trend, she noted, has undermined the government’s efforts to improve education standards and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students.
“Absenteeism among teachers is a serious issue that affects the quality of education in our schools. The government will no longer tolerate this behavior, whether it occurs in rural or urban areas,” Ezewu stated. “We are committed to holding educators accountable for their responsibilities and ensuring that every child in Delta State has access to quality education.”
Ezewu revealed that the Ministry of Education would intensified monitoring and evaluation efforts to identify and address cases of absenteeism. As part of the government’s strategy, stricter sanctions will be imposed on teachers found guilty of abandoning their duties. These measures, she added, will include disciplinary actions, suspension, and even termination for repeat offenders.
The Delta State government’s tough stance on absentee teachers underscores its commitment to prioritizing education and addressing issues that hinder its progress. By enforcing these measures, the state aims to uphold high standards of education and provide students with the learning opportunities they deserve.
Ezewu called on school administrators, parents, and community leaders to collaborate with the government in monitoring and reporting cases of teacher absenteeism. She stressed that the collective effort of all stakeholders is essential to maintaining accountability and ensuring a conducive learning environment for students.
It can be recalled that the State government has issued a directive to the ministry of Secondary Education, to ensure that a strict screening exercise aimed at identifying and addressing issues of staff absenteeism, abandonment of duty posts, and dereliction of responsibilities among both teaching and non-teaching staff, is carried out.
The Executive Chairman of PPEB, Dr. Emmanuel Tibi explained that the exercise aims to bridge the gap by establishing the genuine number and identities of staff members actively fulfilling their duties.
He noted that the exercise was carried out from Monday 13th to Friday 17th, January 2025, was aimed to establish the genuine number and identities of staff members actively fulfilling their duties in schools.
The chairman continues to appreciate the leadership of the Commissioner for Secondary Education Mrs. Rose Ezewu, as he applauds the process of the screening exercise.
