In a bid to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery in public basic education, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Ebanehita Sonia Omonzane, held a strategic meeting with all Acting Education Secretaries (AES) from the 18 local government areas of the state.The meeting focused on addressing irregularities observed in the conduct of school personnel and ensuring full compliance with the extant public service rules.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Chairman emphasized the importance of discipline, transparency, and professionalism in achieving quality basic education. She noted that the conduct of school heads and teachers plays a major role in shaping the future of learners and the image of the education system.
Mrs. Blessing Amadasun, Director of Shared Services, gave a detailed breakdown of common infractions reported in schools. She categorized these into misconduct and gross misconduct, which include absence from duty without permission, lateness to work, abscondment, and proceeding on study or sick leave without official approval. She reminded the secretaries that such actions contravene civil service regulations and must be properly addressed at the local government level.
Mrs. Justina Odubel, Director of Legal Services, raised concerns about illegal monetary collections in schools and reported incidents of gender-based violence. She urged the Education Secretaries to take these matters seriously, stating that such actions not only violate the law but also undermine the trust of parents and the public in the school system.
Board Secretary Mrs. Beatrice Ada Oluku reiterated the need for strict adherence to civil service procedures. She called for proper documentation and accountability, emphasizing that public servants must operate within the framework of established rules to ensure consistency and fairness in administration.
Mr. Goodluck Edowandangbon, Director of Quality Assurance, reminded the AESs of the importance of effective monitoring. He urged school heads to keep up-to-date records and cooperate with Quality Assurance Officers during evaluations, noting that proper record-keeping is essential for tracking school performance and identifying areas that require intervention.
The Director of Special Programmes, Mrs Eunice Onuabhagbe emphasized the need for advocacy and community sensitization to encourage enrollment of children with special needs. She informed the gathering that Edo State currently operates 12 special needs schools and urged local authorities to support inclusive education by reaching out to families of children with disabilities.
Other directors also took turns to enlighten the Acting Education Secretaries on the specific functions and duties of their departments ranging from planning research and statistics to planning and project, highlighting how each unit contributes to the overall success of SUBEB’s mandate.
During the interactive session, a representative of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) clarified issues concerning teacher attendance. He stated that the union holds its official State Executive Council (SEC) meetings only four times a year and never during school hours, adding that any claims of attending union meetings during work hours should be verified accordingly.
In her closing remarks, Hon. Omonzane expressed appreciation to the Acting Education Secretaries for their commitment and encouraged them to play a more proactive role in school supervision. She directed that each AES must draw up a weekly work plan and ensure a minimum of ten school visits per week.She also mandated that during school holidays, at least two teachers should be present in every school on a daily basis to ensure safety and oversight.
Furthermore, she stressed the importance of working closely with community leaders to prevent vandalism and safeguard school property.
The Executive Chairman concluded by cautioning against the illegal practice of demanding money from individuals in exchange for appointments as principals or heads of schools. She reminded the secretaries that such appointments can only be made by the appropriate authorities, and their role is limited to making recommendations.
Also present at this meeting include the board members representing the three senatorial districts of the state; Edo South Pastor (Mrs.) Angela Okpamen, Edo Central Chief Christopher Abuya, Edo North Chief Idris Aminu, Directors of the Procurement, Social Mobilization, planning, research and Statistics, and Physical and Project Planning.
The meeting reinforced SUBEB’s commitment to promoting discipline, collaboration, and accountability across all tiers of the basic education system in Edo State.
