The Jigawa State Government has uncovered that over 200 primary school teachers have been absent from work for periods ranging from two months to as long as three years, yet continued to receive salaries.
In one striking case, a teacher abandoned the classroom for three years after being turbanned as a village head but continued to collect both his salary and additional payments in his new traditional role.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Haruna Musa, revealed this during an official engagement, stating that the salaries of the 239 identified absentee teachers have been suspended until further notice.
“Some teachers were found to have abandoned their teaching duties for years without setting foot in the classroom,” Prof. Musa said. “In one case, the teacher deserted his post for three years while still receiving monthly salary and entitlements as a village head.”
He emphasized that the crackdown on absenteeism is part of the board’s renewed efforts to improve the quality of education in Jigawa State.
Prof. Musa disclosed that the board has taken disciplinary action against the erring teachers, including ordering refunds of the salaries collected during their unauthorized absences.
“The affected teacher has the option to either resume duty and repay the collected funds or face further disciplinary measures,” he added.
The SUBEB chairman also appealed for the cooperation of school administrators and the public to report any teacher found absent without authorization, to promote transparency and accountability across the education system.
Speaking on a separate initiative, Prof. Musa said selected teachers from the state’s 27 local government areas were undergoing training in computer literacy and lesson planning, to enhance teaching standards and improve learning outcomes in the state.
