From Abel zwanke, Lafia
The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr. Kassim Muh’d Kassim, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Education Secretary of Lafia Local Government, Alhaji Usman Aliyu, for absconding his duties.
The directive came during Dr. Kassim’s unscheduled inspection visits on Tuesday to primary and junior secondary schools across the state to assess facilities and the quality of teaching.
Our correspondent gathered that the Education Secretary was not present to receive the chairman and his team, nor to brief them on the state of schools under his jurisdiction during the visit.
Dr. Kassim stated that the suspension is intended to serve as a deterrent to others who might undermine his vision for improving basic education in Nasarawa State. He emphasized that his visit was to personally assess the condition of infrastructure and the learning environment in schools across the state.
Accompanied by two permanent members, the board secretary, and all line directors, the NSUBEB chairman arrived at the Education Secretary’s office around noon, only to find it unattended without any valid reason for the absence.
Displeased, Dr. Kassim instructed that Alhaji Usman Aliyu be summoned to report to his office within the week for explanations and possible disciplinary action.
Expressing disappointment with what he described as an intolerable attitude from the Education Secretary and other school staff, Dr. Kassim stressed that the board requires full commitment from its staff at this critical time to achieve quality education for Nasarawa’s children.
He further urged that government’s timely payment of salaries must be matched by teachers’ regular and punctual attendance at work. “I am not happy with what I am seeing because it goes against our guidelines and civil service orientation, and I will not accept it,” he said. “He is expected to be in the office during working hours. Maybe he thinks it is business as usual, but he won’t find it funny with me.”
During his visits to centers hosting the ‘School-Based Cluster Training,’ Dr. Kassim condemned the encroachment on school properties and warned perpetrators to desist or face legal consequences.
He encouraged teachers to focus on the training, which is part of his administration’s policy to continuously upgrade teachers’ skills to provide the best education for students.
Addressing complaints from head teachers about decaying infrastructure, unpaid training allowances, teacher shortages, and lack of instructional materials, Dr. Kassim approved immediate payment of the training allowances.
On teacher shortages, he assured that NSUBEB will soon recruit qualified teachers, particularly for rural schools, with strict instructions that they must remain in their designated postings.
He also promised to absorb all PTA teachers into full-time employment with the board, urging patience during the process.
Expressing shock at the deplorable state of facilities in rural primary and junior secondary schools, Dr. Kassim pledged to prioritise the rehabilitation of dilapidated structures and improve learning environments across the state.
