A Lecturer in Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, Esheya Greg, has said that most teachers in Nigerian basic education institutions of primary and secondary schools are not qualified to teach the pupils and students.
Mr Greg who is the Head of Department, Educational Foundation in the college, stated this in Abakaliki the state capital at a town hall meeting on Anti-corruption and promotion of good governance, organized by Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre(WAMAC) with support from MacArthure Foundation in Abakaliki
He said those type of teachers in the primary and secondary schools hold lower teaching certificates and use school hours in pursuit of higher education in order to be qualified as classroom teachers, thereby absenting themselves from work which has impacted negatively on the education system.
The theme of the meeting which attracted many stakeholders was "Teacher Absenteeism in Ebonyi State's Public Schools: Role of communities in addressing the menace"
According to the Lecturer, out of 564,569 teachers in primary schools in the country in 2010, only about 60% were qualified, adding that 17% of 133,388: teachers in junior secondary schools in that year, were computer literate.
"This situation ensures that those teachers with lower certificates enroll for higher degrees programs in order for them to continue to enjoy promotion and progression in service. This is often without official study leave leading to less hands to teach the students", he stated.
He described absenteeism as corruption in civil service and called for proper supervision of schools by relevant authorities to tackle the menace.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of WAMAC, Zubair Idris said the theme of the town hall meeting was apt given the level of corruption in country.
He observed that many teachers were collecting salaries every month without going to work, describing it as another twist to corruption.
The Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Chief Ogodoali Nome blamed teachers absenteeism on e-payment system.
"Since the introduction of e-payment system, the bureaucratic system in government has failed woefully because many people don't come to work but they receive their salaries at the end of the month", he said. ENDS
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