The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board has withheld the salaries of 239 teachers found absent from their places of duty across the state.

This was disclosed by the SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Haruna Musa, while interacting with journalists on Saturday shortly after concluding a five-day training for 250 Arabic teachers organised by the board, held at Takur Primary School in Dutse, the state capital.

The Chairman explained that the absent teachers were found in various capacities, ranging from two months to three years of absence while still collecting their salaries, saying that “some teachers were found to have abandoned their teaching duties for years without attending classes.”

One notable case mentioned by Prof. Musa was that of a primary school teacher who was recently turbaned as a village head.

He said, “The teacher had abandoned his teaching duties for three years while still collecting his salary and receiving additional payment as village head.”

“The Board’s crackdown on absenteeism is part of its efforts to improve the quality of education in Jigawa State,” he emphasised.

The SUBEB Boss, however, revealed that the board has taken serious measures against the erring teacher, requiring him to refund the salaries collected during his absence.

“The teacher has the option to continue working while paying back the salaries collected.

“This serves as a warning to erring teachers, and it sends a strong message about the Board’s commitment to discipline and accountability. The Board’s actions are expected to improve teacher attendance and overall quality of education,” he noted.

Also, the Chairman called on SBMC members to report and expose any teacher with the habit of absenteeism to any of the Board’s offices across the 27 LGs in the state to ensure transparency and accountability.

Musa then lamented the attitude of some teachers who see their jobs as mere formalities, emphasising that “the Board is committed to ensuring that teachers perform their duties diligently.” And assured that “more teachers would be recruited to address the shortage of teachers across the state.”

Speaking on the training, the SUBEB chairman said that the training, which brought together selected teachers from the 27 local government areas in the state, aimed to equip them with skills in computer literacy and lesson planning.

He highlighted that the five-day training for Arabic teachers was organised in collaboration with the College of Education in Gumel and Babura.

Musa advised the teachers to maintain a decent dress code and good command of language while teaching and emphasised the importance of setting good examples for pupils. (The Punch)

•Jigawa SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Haruna Musa, addressing journalists in Dutse on Saturday, June 14, 2025. | Credit: Salisu Kabuga