Edo govt sacks 836 teachers

NO fewer than 836 teachers have been sacked by  Edo State Government, sequel to the outcome of the verification exercise carried out by the state’s Department of  Information and Communication Technology.

Gov Oshiomhole

Vanguard gathered that the affected teachers learnt of their sack when they discovered that their names were missing from the December salary voucher.

It was learnt that some of those sacked were allegedly found to have either over-stayed, mentally unstable, physically blind or have falsified their ages and credentials.

A man who gave his name simply as Osahon, said his wife was affected just as it was further gathered that over 96 of those sacked were alleged to be from a particular local government in Edo North.
Osahon, however, appealed to the state government to reconsider its stand on the sacked teachers, especially those who are still young in service.

His words: “I don’t have a steady job. My wife is the one taking care of the home. She is not up to three years in service and less than 35 years old. The governor should give the young ones a second chance. They should regularise their
ages.”

Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr. Patrick Aguinede, who confirmed the sack, said those affected were certified by the ICT after the screening

He said those who have over-stayed in service gave a scenario that the state government could not recruit new teachers.
According to him, “the teachers were found to have served beyond 35 years. Some were physically blind, some manipulated their results and age which later showed they finished school before they were born.”

State secretary of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Akin Adeojo, said the union became aware of the sack through rumours, but added that the affected teachers had not been issued sack letters.
He said the NUT would scrutinise the letters before taking a decision, adding that it would make a case for anybody found to have been victimised.