Katsina Strikes Hard: 100 Teachers Lose Salaries For Abandoning Duty

The Katsina State Government has suspended the salaries of over 100 teachers who abandoned their duty posts without explanation.

The decision was disclosed on Wednesday in Katsina during the inauguration of a Joint Education Sector Coordination Committee, organized by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in collaboration with UNICEF. The committee is tasked with guiding policy formulation, planning, and mobilizing resources for the state’s education sector.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Zainab Musawa, expressed concern over the growing trend of teachers neglecting their duties. She revealed that during inspection visits to about 20 schools, less than 60 percent of teachers were present.

Musawa further disclosed cases where some teachers relocated to other states but continued to collect salaries from Katsina, with a few absent from classrooms for up to two years.

As a corrective measure, the ministry withheld the salaries of more than 100 absentee teachers, many of whom are now appealing for payment after missing their July, August, and September earnings.

The newly inaugurated committee, chaired by the commissioner, will work to strengthen accountability, transparency, and service delivery in the education sector. It will also promote collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners.

UNICEF has pledged one year of support to the committee to ensure its goals are achieved.