In continuation of the on-going sanitization of the state education
sector, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has announced the removal
of 41 Zonal Inspectors and Chief Inspectors of Education and Local
Government Education officers over non-performance and negligence of
duty.

The decision, according to him, is the outcome of a continuing
performance audit. Also, the Governor announced the demotion of the
Vice Principal of New Era College, Mr S.E Akhabue, from Grade Level 15
to Grade Level 14 for being a perpetual late-comer.

While meeting the affected school inspectors and officers at the
Government House today, the Governor disclosed that the administrative
details of the change in the school inspectorate will be made known in
the coming days.

It will be recalled that the governor had paid series of unscheduled
visits to public schools across the state in the last two weeks where he
made mind-boggling discoveries bordering on absenteeism or dereliction
of duty by teachers.

Addressing the inspectors , Comrade Oshiomhole said: “It’s obvious
from what I’ve seen today and from what you’ve told me that you’ve all
breached your basic duties, which is to monitor schools and file basic
reports, which among things, should include reports on those present and
absent so that government can take steps to assist those who want to
work to remain and those who don’t want to work to go home.

“Edo state government has lost millions of naira of taxpayers’ money because of your failure to do your duties.

“You are guilty of negligence of duty and even abandonment of your
duties. I believe that most times, you don’t even come to work. We do
not need this set of Zonal Inspectors of Education, Chief Inspectors of
Education and Local Government Education Inspectors.

“The days are gone when people don’t do their jobs. It’s shocking
that you recognize that you are supposed to have written reports, yet
you fail to do so.

“I am happy that parents and guardians are returning their children
and wards to public schools as a result of the massive investment we
have made in the education sector, yet, you who are to ensure that
teachers work do not do so.

“I’m not hiding the fact that only those who are willing to work will
keep their jobs. Everybody must be accountable. I am accountable to the
Edo people, the House of Assembly is accountable, so if we are
accountable, who are you not to be accountable.

“If the teachers don’t teach, we have no future and your brief is to
ensure that the teachers work and yet you failed to do that.

“It’s a new Edo, everybody must be put on notice to work and justify
their pay. I have a duty to remind you that when you have abandoned your
job, you have also lost it.”

The Vice Principal of New Era College, Mr. Akhabue, who was demoted
by a Grade Level during an unscheduled visit to the school by the
Governor, was found guilty of perpetually getting to the office late.
The time-book of the teachers which the Governor went through showed
that the Vice Principal sometimes got to the office as late as 9:55am.