A circular from the Edo State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) has reportedly directed senior secondary school teachers to cut grasses and clean school premises ahead of resumption.
The document, dated August 27 and signed by Obarisiagbon M. I. on behalf of SSEB Executive Chairman, Dr Maureen Ekhorangbon, appears to contradict the state government’s earlier denial that teachers were assigned menial duties.
Addressed to all Executive Principals, the memo reportedly instructed that teachers carry out the exercise on September 1, while students would join from September 8. Principals were said to be mandated to supervise the work and submit photographic evidence of compliance to the board’s “integrity WhatsApp page” by September 5.
The circular, according to its content, emphasised cleanliness, hygiene, safety, discipline, and voluntary service as part of the Governor’s education reform agenda.
Its emergence has reportedly reinforced concerns raised by civil society groups that teachers are being compelled to handle tasks outside their professional duties, despite a Ministry of Education statement on Monday dismissing such claims as “unfounded.”
