Teaching staff of the Secondary Education Management Board, SEMB, Abia State, have raised concerns over alleged victimisation, intimidation, and unfair treatment within the Board.
Some teachers who spoke to Newsbuka at the weekend on condition of anonymity called on Governor Dr. Alex Otti to investigate the activities of SEMB, particularly actions they described as acts of injustice meted out to secondary school teachers.
According to the sources, the alleged ill-treatment affects teaching staff across the three Zonal Boards of SEMB: Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia — and is being perpetrated under the Director-in-Charge, Mrs. Onwubuiko Ngozi.
The teachers noted that as education officers, school supervisors, and professional teachers saddled with ensuring quality education across the state, they are entitled to the Teachers’ Special Salary, TSS, and other professional allowances, just as other professionals enjoy their statutory entitlements.
However, they alleged that the TSS and other professional allowances were unlawfully and abruptly withdrawn without any government circular to back the action.
One of the teachers argued that as professionals who pay statutory levies to the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, the regulatory body, they are entitled to all the benefits and emoluments due to them, including the TSS.
She questioned why teaching staff at the Board are being denied this allowance and forced to refund monies previously paid to them through salary deductions ranging from ₦35,000 to ₦105,000, which reflected in their June salaries. She described the practice as unacceptable and a misnomer.
The teacher also lamented the difficulties of embarking on supervision and monitoring exercises in hinterland communities with poor road networks, only to return and discover that the benefits due to them have been denied.
“To the best of my knowledge, no government circular authorised the removal and deduction of this allowance from our June salaries and subsequent payments. This action is also contrary to the directive of the Head of Service that teaching staff serving in the office should continue to enjoy their TSS,” one of the sources said.
The teachers urged Governor Otti to constitute a panel to investigate the alleged unlawful withdrawal and recovery of the Teachers’ Salary Supplement, TSS, from staff serving at the SEMB Headquarters and Zonal Boards, and to ensure immediate refunds where applicable.
They also called on the Governor to direct the panel to investigate the alleged extortion of N250,000 from teachers eligible for the five-year retirement age extension approved by the government, alleging that some officials at the Board are exploiting teachers.
Another affected teacher alleged extortion by a staff member of SEMB, Mrs. Chizurum Orji, Payroll Officer, in collaboration with the Director-in-Charge, in connection with the processing of the five-year retirement age extension recently approved by the Abia State Government for teachers.
The sources also alleged punitive transfers and intimidation of staff who have spoken out or demanded their legitimate rights. They said this has created fear and stifled transparency within the Board, as staff are afraid of the next move by the Director-in-Charge.
The teachers further called on the state government to investigate alleged selective enforcement of disciplinary measures. They cited the case of Mrs. Chimuanya Ruth Afari, who, according to staff records and observations, has allegedly not reported to duty since the inception of this administration but continues to receive her salary without sanction.
“I am concerned that while such alleged absenteeism has not attracted sanctions, teaching staff who are actively performing their duties have instead had their professional allowances withdrawn. This raises serious questions about fairness, accountability, and equal treatment within the Board,” one source stated.
The teachers appealed to Governor Otti to institute an independent investigation into the allegations in the interest of justice, accountability, and the continued progress of education in Abia State.
They also urged that those found culpable be held accountable and that administrative reforms be introduced to prevent a recurrence.
The sources further called on the government to review the leadership of SEMB if the outcome of the investigation establishes misconduct or abuse of office.
While lamenting the situation, the teachers commended Governor Otti for his ongoing reforms in the civil service, noting that he has earned public confidence through his commitment to justice, transparency, and the rule of law.
They expressed optimism that the Governor’s timely intervention will restore confidence among teachers, protect the integrity of the civil service, and strengthen the education sector in Abia State.
When Newsbuka reached out to the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Comrade Dan Onuoha, for comments, he declined to speak on the matter.
When Newsbuka also asked if he was still the PRO of the Board following allegations that he had been posted out for challenging some of the decisions of the Director-in-Charge, Mrs. Onwubuiko Ngozi, he equally declined comment.
Meanwhile, some staff of the Board said Comrade Dan Onuoha remains the only recognised PRO of the Board known to them.
Efforts to reach Mrs. Onwubuiko Ngozi for comments proved abortive. Newsbuka will publish her response in future editions.
