Oyo government suspends 16 teachers, over collection of illegal fees

Segun Showunmi in Ibadan

The Oyo State Government on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of 13 primary school Head Teachers, two Assistant Head Teachers and a classroom Teacher for extortion and various misconducts in their respective schools.

Penpushing reports that, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board,   Nureni Adeniran, made this known, adding that the suspension follows  an inspection tour of some schools in Ibadan metropolis.

The board boss while speaking during the tour declared that the Government would not tolerate inequity and gross indiscipline among teachers, noting that the Board suspended the erring teachers due to established facts met on ground at the various schools they supervised.

Penpushing further reports that, Adeniran pointed out that apart from illegal collection of fees from pupils, the suspended teachers were also found culpable of insubordination and refusal to comply with posting instructions.

The Chairman said the suspended Teachers would face a disciplinary committee set up by the board, adding that the committee has been mandated to ensure a thorough probe of the allegations and give all concerned fair hearing.

Penpushing also reports that he disclosed identities  of the affected  Head Teachers as Mrs. Agnes Amodu of IMG Primary school, Olubadan and Mrs. Janet Ayoade, who heads St. John’s Catholic Primary School 1, Eleta, who both refused to comply with posting instructions.

The suspension order added that others include, Mrs. Risikat Motunrayo Ogundele, the Head Teacher, Atolu Model Primary School 4, Oremeji  who was suspended for detaining a Primary 3 pupil at a Police Station.

Penpushing reports that also   placed  on suspension by the board  for illegal collection of fees were; Mrs. Kehinde Oyediran and Mrs. Monsurat Olaniyan, Head-Teachers at Community Primary School 1 and 2, Idi-Obi, Airport, Ibadan; Mr. Omotosho Michael, Mrs. Bilikisu Romoke and Mrs. Oyenike Damilola Adisa, Head Teachers at Community Primary School 1, 2, and 3, Sasa, Ibadan.

The list also include, Head Teachers of St. Paul’s Primary School 1,2,3 and 4, Yemetu, Mrs. Olukoga; Mrs. C.G. Lawal; Mrs. Simbiat Adewale and Mrs. O. F. Ogunbiyi who were suspended for illegal collection of fees.

The Head Teacher, IMG, School 1, Oje-Igosun, Mrs. Esther Oluranti Adeoye was suspended for illegal collection of fees.  while her accomplice, an Assistant Head Teacher, Mrs. Romoke Ahmadu-Bello and a Primary 6 teacher, Mrs. Omolola Abobade were also suspended.

Penpushing further reports that, the Assistant Head Teacher, IMG School 2, Oje-Igosun, Mufudat Abioye was also suspended for illegal collection of fees, while in reaction to the development, the board Chairman described the acts of the teachers as unruly, adding that the government would set up a standing disciplinary committee to handle such misdemeanors’.

“We discovered that the absence of supervision and monitoring of education activities in the State has given so much room for impunity and indiscipline. We will not allow this to happen henceforth,” he added. This would serve as a deterrent to saboteurs among the Head Teachers in the State. They should know henceforth, that the State Government will not tolerate indiscipline.”

Meanwhile, it’s recalled that Oyo State Government, after announcing free and qualitative education in May 2019, approved the payment of N526 Million as running grants to Primary and Secondary schools for the first term of 2019/2020 session.