A recent circular, dated August 27 2025, directs secondary school teachers in Edo State to cut grass and clean their schools ahead of the 2025/2026 academic session. The document, signed by Obarisiagbon M. I. on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board, Dr. Maureen Ekhorangbon, instructs Executive Principals of senior secondary schools to supervise the exercise, ensure standards are met, and submit a brief report with photographic evidence by September 5 2025. The stated goal is to maintain a clean, hygienic, and safe environment while promoting discipline and voluntary service among students.
The emergence of this circular has lent credibility to concerns raised by civil‑society groups, which had alleged that teachers were being forced to engage in grass‑cutting and other maintenance work. The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, previously dismissed these allegations as “unfounded,” claiming that any such activities were voluntary and part of teachers’ corporate social responsibility. However, organisations such as the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) and the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights have condemned the state government’s actions. EDOCSO demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular and an apology to public‑school teachers, warning that a nation that fails to treat its teachers with respect will suffer consequences.
The Edo State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Bernard Gbenga Ajabuwe, also protested the development, stating that the union has written to the government urging it to disregard the directive. The union argues that teachers are professionals whose primary duty is to impart knowledge, not to perform maintenance tasks. The controversy highlights the need for collaboration between the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to ensure that schools are well‑maintained and conducive to learning.
As the academic session approaches, with teachers resuming on September 1 2025 and students on September 8 2025, the situation remains a subject of concern for educators, students, and the broader community.
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