Edo CSCHR debunks allegation of manual labour punishment for teachers

The Edo State Civil Society Coalition For  Human Rights (CSCHR), has debunked the allegation that teachers in public schools in the state were subjected to punishment of manual labour by the State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) and the Edo State Ministry of Education.

 

The group stated that the outcome of its engagements with all stakeholders when the news broke that teachers in Edo State public schools were compelled to clear bushes and perform other manual labour by SSEB and the ministry, was not true afterall.

 

 

In a statement endorsed by Kola Edokpayi

Coordinator General, Edo State Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Aghatise Raphael, the group’s Secretary General, the body said that “Following our engagement with stakeholders and Principal of Public Schools, it is important to state categorically that no teacher was compelled into such activities and the action to clean the school premises was voluntary.”

 

The group added that it found out that contrary to the rumours of public schools teachers being maltreated, “teachers are highly treasured and  regarded under the watch of the Executive Chairman of Edo State Secondary Education Board.  

 

“While the idea was mentioned in some quarters, the initiative was halted before it was ever implemented. Edo Civil Society Coalition For Human Rights neither has an axe to grind with the Commissioner For Education nor the Executive Chairman of Edo State Secondary Education Board. Our involvement in the matter ab initio, was to ensure that our teachers are not used to do menial jobs. 

 

“We must state that at no point were teachers forced to undertake duties outside their professional mandate willy nilly.

 

 

“We further commend Edo State Executive Chairman of Edo State Secondary Education Board for her initiative to clean up Schools before the resumption of students. 

 

We must also commend the Ministry of Education for its  continued efforts in improving the education sector, particularly through the recruitment of teachers and ensuring that parents are not extorted in the name of graduation ceremonies and  buying of new text books while old text books are available for students to use in their new classes.” The group eulogised. 

 

While reaffirming the importance of teachers in the society  the he Coalition reiterated that “teachers remained nation-builders, entrusted with the noble responsibility of educating our children, and their dignity must always be respected.

 

“As watchdogs of society, we remain committed to truth, fairness, and the protection of human rights. Edo State must continue to uphold the dignity of teachers and ensure policies that strengthen, not diminish, their professional calling.” The Coalition pleaded.