The head teacher and deputy head teacher of St. John’s Primary School in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State have been demoted to classroom teachers by the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB.

The demotion followed the alleged absence of the head teacher and his deputy during a routine monitoring visit to the school by SUBEB.

The Executive Chairman SUBEB, Dr Stephen Odey, expressed his anger when he did not see teachers in the school at the time of the visit, saying their absence amounted to lack of commitment to duty.

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He said, “It is so disappointing that as of 7:30 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. no single teacher is here. Parents who came to drop off their children and other pupils are now waiting on their teachers. What example are they setting for these pupils? It is almost 8:00 a.m and some of them are just strolling in.”

He then declared the immediate demotion of the head teacher and his deputy and described them as incapable of administering the school.

The lateness of staff to work was also noticed at Government Primary school, Old Netim II, also in Akamkpa when Odey visited at the school around 8:18 a.m. and the morning assembly was still being conducted.

Addressing the teachers at the school, Odey said, “Assembly is still on at this time when pupils should be in their classrooms receiving the first lesson of the day.

“It is almost 8:30 a.m., how will you meet up with the timetable at this rate?” he asked.

He also warned teachers at various schools, including Army Day Primary School, Akamkpa that they will face severe sanctions if they failed to live up to their responsibilities.

He said Governor Ben Ayade paid teachers’ salaries regularly and so they should complement government’s efforts by being dedicated to duty.

Odey also spoke against improper dressing and charged teachers to set the right example for pupils by appearing neat.

He insisted that timetable should be strictly followed and lessons must begin at 8:00 a.m., saying that lateness and absenteeism will not be tolerated by the Board.

He also directed that all late and absent teachers should be queried. The names of the head teacher and his deputy were, however, not disclosed.