BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU
The Post-Primary Education Board (PPEB) 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.
This initiative, which began on Monday, January 13, 2025, is scheduled to continue through Friday, January 17, 2025, in its initial phase. The screening is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and accountability within the education system, aligning with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.
According to the Executive Chairman of PPEB, Dr. Emmanuel Tibi explained that the exercise aimed to bridge the gap by establishing the genuine number and identities of staff members actively fulfilling their duties.
“The screening was deemed essential following observations of significant discrepancies between the number of staff on government payroll and the actual workforce present in secondary schools across Delta State, the situation is alarming and embarrassing. Despite records indicating thousands of staff on payroll, many schools are reportedly understaffed, especially in critical subject areas”, he said
The executive chairman also highlighted several practices undermining the education sector, including prolonged absenteeism, misuse of study leave, abuse of medical leave, and the outsourcing of teaching responsibilities by employed teachers. He expressed concern over these actions, noting that they reflect poorly on the integrity of the Board and hinder the delivery of quality education. Dr. Tibi stressed the need for collective responsibility in addressing these issues, urging all staff to prioritize their roles and uphold the standards of their employment. He called on stakeholders to support efforts to restore the integrity of Delta State’s secondary education system, which he described as the foundation for national educational achievement.
He reiterated that the board’s commitment to upholding the principles of diligence and transparency will remain unwavering as the screening progresses, while stating that the initiative represents a pivotal step in addressing systemic inefficiencies and ensuring that Delta State maintained its leadership in educational excellence.
The chairman urged employees facing challenges with the screening process to report to the PPEB Headquarters in Asaba to resolve their issues, as he called on staff, including those who might attempt to evade the process, that their records were on file and that accountability remained a key focus of the exercise.
