The Abia State Government has issued a strong warning to public school teachers across the state, cautioning against absenteeism, negligence, and professional misconduct, in a decisive move to improve the quality of public education.
The government emphasized that disciplinary action will henceforth be taken against erring teachers, aligning with the Public Service Rules and the Teachers’ Code of Conduct.
The warning was delivered by the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Lady Lydia Onuoha, during a press briefing held Tuesday at her office in Umuahia. She expressed concern over the rising cases of teacher absenteeism, which she described as a breach of professional ethics and a threat to the state’s long-term educational development.
“The full weight of the Public Service Rules shall be invoked where necessary. The government will not hesitate to act in the interest of the children and the future of our state,” Lady Onuoha said.
According to the ASUBEB Chairman, the present administration, led by Governor Alex Otti, has made substantial investments in the welfare of teachers, including prompt salary payments, long-overdue promotions, and implementation of the 27.5% Teachers’ Special Salary (TSS). She noted that education has received over 20% of the state’s 2025 budget allocation, placing Abia among the states with the highest commitment to the sector nationwide.
“This administration is not just committed to building more classrooms; we are committed to filling them with qualified, present, motivated, and responsible teachers,” she emphasized.
In a bid to enforce attendance and restore accountability, Lady Onuoha announced the launch of a statewide monitoring strategy. This will be executed in collaboration with Local Government Education Authorities and School-Based Management Committees.
Key components of the new system include: Introduction of Biometric Attendance Systems in public schools to track daily presence and punctuality of teachers, Strengthening of Quality Assurance Teams to conduct unannounced visits and performance audits and Monthly Attendance Reports to be submitted by head teachers for compliance review.
These measures, she noted, are aimed at ensuring that education delivery in Abia becomes more impactful, purposeful, and transformational.
The ASUBEB boss urged all education stakeholders, teachers, parents, and the public, to support the vision of a “New Abia” where public education meets global standards. She called on community members to report erring teachers or misconduct by contacting the Board’s dedicated customer care line: 07076904864.
“Teachers must reciprocate the goodwill of this government by being physically present, professionally prepared, and morally committed,” she stated.
This development is a significant milestone in the education reform agenda of Abia State. It highlights the government’s shift from infrastructure-focused education policy to a more holistic approach that emphasizes teacher quality, accountability, and learning outcomes. With these reforms, Abia State could set a new benchmark in public education administration, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Lady Onuoha also praised Governor Alex Otti for prioritizing the education sector and reaffirmed the government’s determination to ensure that every Abia child has access to quality learning facilitated by committed professionals.
