The Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN) in Kogi State yesterday said that government and politicians were responsible for the proliferation of fake teachers and certificate forgery in the state.
This was contained in an open letter to the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) Board, Mallam Nuhu Ahmed, and signed by BESAN chairman, Comrade Suleiman Adomu Yakubu and secretary, Comrade Umaru Adoga.
“The government is to be blamed for this as teachers are no longer properly screened before employment. Politicians share the sector’s employment letter to “everybody”, even as the unqualified ones are confirmed class teachers after servicing as personal assistants (PA) or care givers,” he said.
He said the union was aware that certificates were obtained through fraudulent means, urging government to exercise caution when embarking on employment exercises.
The association advised that teachers should be involved in identifying forged certificates, just as it called on the government to punish anyone caught with them.
The group added that government was owing teachers in Ajaokuta, Ofu, Okene, Olamaboro and Omala Local Government Areas, November and December salaries.
It further stated that some teachers were yet to receive January salary, and that the consultant engaged by SUBEB for that purpose should be held accountable.
“We demand the sack of the consultant which is the same group that has been carrying out fraudulent and retrogressive consulting services in the sector. The group is against the development of the sector. Also, account staff of SUBEB should be redeployed and new people posted from among primary school teachers, especially those with relevant qualifications. We believe that if this is done, basic education problem would be solved,” the association said.
