The Bauchi State government has warned teachers against laxity and absenteeism to enhance the delivery of quality education.

The Commissioner for Education, Muhammed Lawal, said this during a school inspection exercise on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said the call was imperative to ensure quality service delivery and protect the teachers against becoming victims of punishment.

Mr Lawal stressed the need for teachers to be committed and dedicated to their duty to complement the government’s gesture in the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage in the state.

“I don’t think we’ll allow laxity from our staff; this is because all of them are earning something commensurate with the current economic challenges of today.

“That is why this new minimum wage was approved. I wouldn’t like to give them room for any ill-doing in the education sector as their salaries are paid as and when due.

“I don’t want any of them to be a victim; they must take their responsibilities as teachers with utmost diligence and seriousness and be ready to work,” he said.

Mr Lawal said the state government would not condone dereliction of duty and that the ministry would ensure effective monitoring and supervision of schools.

While expressing satisfaction over the effective utilisation of learning materials distributed by the government, Mr Lawal decried the low turnout of final-year students in some of the schools visited.

“My only area of concern is the attitude of parents towards sending their children to schools.

“In one of the schools, the population was not impressive. So, I tasked the principal to summon the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to address the issue,” he said.

Responding, Hadiza Ibrahim, principal of Government Girls’ College (GGC), Bauchi, promised to cooperate with the commissioner to reinvigorate the education sector.

The schools visited included Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Bauchi; Government Girls College (GGC), Bauchi; Birshin Fulani Secondary School, Bauchi; General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College; and Special Education Centre Yelwa.

(NAN)