The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Dr Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, has ordered the immediate redeployment of 1,300 administrative staff to classroom duties in a bid to tackle the acute shortage of teachers across the state.
Dr Mohammed-Kassim issued the directive on Wednesday in Lafia, during a meeting with Education Secretaries from the 13 Local Government Areas and 18 Development Areas of the state.
He stated that over 3,400 staff were currently engaged in office-based roles, despite the growing need for teachers in classrooms.
The NSUBEB Chairman also pledged to address the unequal deployment of teachers, which has favoured urban schools to the detriment of those in rural communities.
He revealed that Governor Abdullahi Sule had approved the recruitment of 4,800 qualified teachers to serve in primary schools across the state.
“All newly recruited teachers will be posted to rural areas to bridge the staffing gap there. Applicants must be willing to work in these communities, as none will be assigned to urban schools,” he said.
“My priority is to revitalise rural schools and make them attractive enough for parents to enrol their children.”
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Expressing concern over reports of misappropriation, Mohammed-Kassim disclosed that some education secretaries and headteachers had diverted government-supplied furniture intended for pupils, selling them to private schools instead.
“It is unacceptable that our pupils are sitting on bare floors while government-provided furniture ends up in private schools and homes,” he said.
“I have visited many schools and witnessed pupils without proper seating, despite records indicating that furniture was supplied. This will not be tolerated under my leadership.”
He stated that the board would work with security agencies to investigate the matter, retrieve the diverted items, and ensure those responsible face appropriate sanctions.
Additionally, the chairman warned Education Secretaries against making unauthorised deductions from teachers’ salaries, unless in cases involving disciplinary action and with the board’s approval.
He also directed that no school land should be allocated to small business ventures without prior authorisation from the board, noting reports of encroachment based on informal arrangements.
To safeguard public school assets, Dr Mohammed-Kassim said maintenance units would be established in each local government area.
