The Jigawa State Government has pardoned 245 public school teachers who were earlier sanctioned for prolonged absenteeism and other professional misconduct.
The decision followed a reconciliation meeting held on Monday by the State Universal Basic Education Board at the NUT Conference Hall in Dutse.
The affected teachers had their salaries suspended in June 2025 after investigations revealed that they abandoned their posts for periods ranging from two months to three years, in some cases even hiring unqualified replacements to teach in their absence.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, SUBEB Executive Chairman, Professor Haruna Musa, expressed the government’s disappointment over the conduct of the teachers.
He noted that such actions contravene the civil service code and undermine the quality of education.
“We will no longer tolerate this kind of negligence in our schools,” Prof. Musa declared. “The state government continues to pay salaries on time, promote staff, and improve working conditions, so we expect total commitment from our teachers. This new era demands accountability.”
He added that the current administration is focused on restoring discipline and dignity to the teaching profession. “This crackdown is not punitive but corrective. We want to rebuild the integrity of our education system and reduce the number of out-of-school children,” he said.
Also addressing the gathering, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Hauwa Babura, emphasized Governor Umar Namadi’s vision for a revitalized education sector. She called on teachers to embrace their roles with dedication and view their responsibilities as both a professional and moral obligation.
“Everyone will give an account of their deeds one day. If we expect a better future for our children, we must begin with committed educators,” Dr. Babura stated. “The government’s actions show it is serious about reforming basic education, and teachers must rise to the occasion.”
The meeting was attended by education stakeholders including SUBEB directors, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Basic Education, Mallam Salmanu; the Secretary of the State Teachers’ Union, Comrade Surajo Yaro; and other officials.
