By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo.
Taraba state government has condemned in strong terms the recent laboratory test on “specimen” carried out by a Head Teacher on the pupils without the knowledge of Education Authorities nor Ministry of Education in the state.
State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin who made the condemnation while speaking with our correspondent in Jalingo on Thursday was reacting on the recent media report concerning un-authorized laboratory test carried out by Head Teacher of Hassan Primary School, Jalingo, Dauda Bakari without seeking approval of Constituted Authority, an issue that has brought commotion between parents and teachers in the State.
She made it clear that the Ministry of Education dissociates itself from such exercise pointing out that investigation will soon be carried out by a committee which is to be set up by the Ministry and thereafter appropriate punishment will be served, she stated.
The Commissioner who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Idris Goje, described the entire act as unacceptable, noting that the Head Teacher violated a serious offence and should be sanctioned accordingly.
In her words “I am surprised that an enlightened scholar as Head Teacher can take such a serious decision on his own without a written official letter to the state universal basic education board (SUBEB) or Ministry of Education for clearance”, she lamented bitterly.
Dr. Augustina however urged parents and guardians of the school pupils to put everything behind them as the Ministry of Education has taken steps to investigate the issue to avoid further recurrence.
She re-iterated the state government’s commitment to ensure the ongoing free education will not be jeopardized by saboteurs.
The Commissioner further disclosed that governor Agbu Kefas’s unwavering commitment in the education sector had manifested in the free registration of student’s examinations such as NECO, WASSCE, NABTEB and MOCK among several others.
Other laudable achievements recorded during the period under review according to the Commissioner includes the ongoing 60 Model Schools, feeding programs as well as uniforms, sandals and instructional materials which she said had been concluded by verification committee members now awaiting distribution.
Reacting, Chairperson, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Mrs. Christiana S. Binga also condemned the action of the Head Teacher, describing it as ridiculous, stressing that punishment had become necessary in view of gross misconduct.
Mrs. Binga appreciated measures taken by the State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, warning that the board will no longer tolerate such acts of misgross in future nor take it for granted.
The SUBEB Chairperson urged parents for understanding as the Board and Ministry of Education will not treat the matter with kid-glove.
Contacted over the ranging issue, the Head Teacher, Dauda Bakari expressed sober over embarrassment caused to SUBEB and the ministry of education in the state.
He emphasized that the incident came as a result of students of Department of Medical Laboratory Science of Taraba State University (TSU) who visited the school with an introductory letter and questionnaire requested to carry out research project on the topic “Prevalence of Intestinal Parasite among children of age 10 and above in Hassan Primary School, Jalingo”, said the Head Teacher.
