NAN-H-113
Teachers
Calabar, Feb. 1, 2017 (NAN) Dr Stephen Odey, Chairman of Cross River Universal Basic Education Board says recent discoveries in the ongoing personnel verification and biometrics data capturing of teachers in the state have vindicated the board.
Odey made the remarks while briefing newsmen on the progress of the exercise on Wednesday in Calabar.
He said that many fraudulent activities were discovered including teachers with fake certificates and non-existing names in the form of ghost teachers.
“It is a nefarious act perpetrated against the state government that is struggling to pay salaries.
“This is why we need to sanitise the system.
“We will not rest until we stabilise the system and put an end to those that are defrauding the government,’’ he said.
According to him, the board uncovered illegal replacement of one of its staff in Obudu Local Government Education Authority (LGEA).
“There was also inclusion of a ghost worker in the nominal roll by one head teacher in the area,’’ he said.
He said that the board made the discovery during the biometrics data capturing and promotion interview of teachers and staff of the Obudu LGEA.
Odey assured that those who got into the basic education sector through the normal process would continue to enjoy the dividends of their labour.
“But those who got in through the back door will be thrown out,’’ he said.
The chairman added that the board would continue to ensure the welfare of genuine teachers, “when they do the right thing’’.
“I have not come to witch-hunt anybody.
“I have come to help you; just do the right thing and let’s move Cross River Basic Education forward,’’ he said.
Odey advised teachers, who have serious medical challenges to apply for voluntary retirement on health grounds “to create opportunities for young people to come into the system’’.
He noted that the inability of some teachers to perform their obligatory duties on account of ill-health had contributed to the collapse of the education system in the state.
He warned those parading fake certificates to tender them to the board and get amnesty, warning that those who failed to do so would face dire consequences.
“If you are a fake certificate holder, come and confess to me, I will grant you amnesty and point you in the right direction,’’ he urged. (NAN)
BEN/AIB/GY
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Grace Yussuf