16 teachers sacked in Ekiti

olamide oni

March 15, 2016 12:25 PM

The sacked teachers, who were from Elo High School, Ayetoro-Ekiti, have been indefinitely dismissed.

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state.

The Ekiti state government has reportedly sacked up to 16 teachers over allegations that they engage in child labour.

An investigation is currently ongoing into the practice of teachers who use students as labourers on their private farms during school hours.

BreakingTimes reports that the sacked teachers, who were from Elo High School, Ayetoro-Ekiti, have been indefinitely dismissed until results of the investigation are revealed.

Governor Ayo Fayoseof Ekiti State made this known while receiving the report of a team led by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola. Olusola visited the school for a preliminary investigation of the incident.

In a statement, on Sunday, March 13, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi said the governor followed persistent complaints by concerned parents that their wards were being used as child labourers in private farms during school hours.

The affected students revealed that under the guise of doing practical agriculture, their teachers will take them to their private farms at least twice a week during official hours to work for at least 30 minutes.

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One of such students, Oluyeye Femi, who is in JSS 3, said that though the school has a farm where students are expected to work once a week, some teachers capitalise on that to take them to their private farms to weed and make heaps.

A member of the National Youth Service Corps posted to the school, Miss Giredana Enogha also confirmed this treatment, adding that students were not encouraged to do any thing apart from farming all day.

This information caused Fayose to order the immediate dismissal of at least 80 percent of the teachers.

READ: Fayose's wife condemns rampant sexual abuse of the girl-child

“This is sheer slavery. The teachers mentioned must be suspended immediately, the governor said, visibly angry, "the Principal, who just got there two months ago, is exempted, but the former principal, who has been posted to somewhere in Ilasa-Ekiti must be investigated as well. Those that have taught in the school since 2012 must be investigated."

olamide oni