Jigawa pardons 245 absentee teachers after apologies

Two hundred and forty-five teachers in Jigawa State, whose salaries were suspended over various infractions, have signed undertakings with the government after apologising for their actions.

This followed a meeting convened by the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board on Monday at the NUT Conference Hall in Dutse, the state capital.

The teachers’ salaries were withheld in June 2025 after the Board discovered that they had abandoned their duties for extended periods—ranging from two months to three years—while continuing to receive salaries.

According to SUBEB records, some of the affected teachers even hired unqualified individuals to fill in for them.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Professor Haruna Musa, said the government was deeply concerned about the conduct of the primary and junior secondary school teachers found guilty of various violations.

He explained that the offences included prolonged absenteeism and the unauthorised delegation of teaching duties, which contravenes civil service rules.

Musa stressed that the Board would no longer tolerate negligence or a lack of seriousness among teachers, especially as the state government has continued to fulfil its obligations by paying salaries on time and granting promotions.

The era of teachers neglecting their duties is over, as there is now a system to restore the dignity of basic education,” he said.

The Board’s recent actions, he added, mark a new phase of accountability in the education sector.

The Board’s crackdown on absenteeism aims to improve the quality of education and reduce the number of out-of-school children,” he noted.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Hauwa Babura, highlighted Governor Umar Namadi’s commitment to revitalising the education sector.

She urged teachers to reflect on the seriousness of their responsibilities.

“Everyone will account for their actions on the Day of Judgment. The Jigawa State Government’s efforts to restore dignity to basic education are evident in its actions against absentee teachers.

“By holding teachers accountable, the government aims to ensure that students receive the quality education they deserve,” Babura said.

She further remarked that the teachers’ apologies and willingness to sign undertakings signified their readiness to meet the expectations of the Board and prioritise their duties.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including SUBEB directors, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Basic Education, Mallam Salmanu; the State Teachers’ Union Secretary, Comrade Surajo Yaro; and other education officials.

At the end of the session, the teachers formally apologised to the governor and pledged not to repeat such misconduct.

They were subsequently issued letters of undertaking, marking what officials described as a renewed commitment to professionalism and responsibility in the classroom.