– Say: Refer Retirement, Civil Service Issues To Education Ministry, Head Of Service, Civil Service Commission
A cross section of Imo people have condemned in very strong terms what they referred to as the excessive interference of the Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Education in the affairs of the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) as if it is the only parastatal where their oversight function should be exercised.
Some concerned respected citizens of the state who stated this while commenting on the recent invitation of the Executive Secretary of SEMB Mrs Tina Azubuike by the Hon Obinna Egu-led Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Education, as published in the Pressman online newspaper said, “it is unfortunate that the House Committee on Education has condescended to the abysmal level of abdicating its core responsibilities to dabble into retirement, transfer and other core civil service issues that should, under normal circumstances be refered to the Ministry of Education, the Civil Service Commission or the Office of the Head of Service, as the case may be, to handle and make recommendations because of their expertise as career civil servants who are vested with such authority.
A retired Director who simply identified himself as Dr Ikenna Nnadi while expressing dismay over what he described as the disgraceful conduct of the House of Assembly Committee on Education said, “SEMB is under the Ministry of Education, which in turn is linked to the Civil Service Commission and the Head of Service. Why should the House of Assembly not tell those who bring such frivolous petitions to them to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters in line with civil service rules and guidelines. The House is indirectly rubbishing the offices of the Commissioner for Education, the Head of Service, the Civil Service Commission and usurping their duties and responsibilities. By accepting to handle and preside over these frivolous petitions presented to them by their relatives, friends, associates and cronies, they are indirectly aiding, abetting and encouraging insubordination and disregard for due process. If the petitioners believe that they have genuine cases to present as public servants without sentiments, the best place for them to go is not the House of Assembly.”
Others who spoke in the same vein wondered what the House Committee on Education has done to ameliorate the plight of some schools in the state where the students and their teachers stay in flooded and roofless classrooms without doors and windows.
“What has the House Committee that is always concerned about what is happening at SEMB done about the pitiable plight of the pupils and students of some of the extremely dilapidated schools in Amakoha, Uratta where staff, students and pupils are subjected to very harsh, dirty and frustrating conditions that are unconducive for effective teaching and learning.
Does their oversight function start and end at SEMB because some of their friends and relatives were retired in line with the civil service procedure and guidelines which stipulates that all those who obtained their First School Leaving Certificates in 1974, 1975 and 1976 no matter what they claim as their age should be retired. On this note the Imo State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB retired over 200 staff. Same with other parastals in the State. These according to them are issues that the Commissioner for Education, Prof John Cliff Nwadike, a seasoned academic, the Civil Service Commission and the office of the Head of Service comprising experienced civil servants who know what is obtainable should handle. Hence, the House Committee on Education should refrain from them and focus more on advising the government to initiate policies that will improve the education sector.
Where was the Education Committee and what did they do when primary school six pupils and Junior Secondary School students in the state did not sit for the First School Leaving Certificate and the Common Entrance examination last year, despite paying the necessary fees to the state government. Did they invite the Governor and the Director of the Examination Development Council (EDC) for interrogation. It is unheard of that primary school pupils will be admitted into government secondary schools without taking the common entrance examination? But it has happened in the state and the House Committee on Education, saw nothing, heard nothing and did nothing about it because it is not a SEMB affair”.
Some staff of SEMB who spoke to this reporter on the condition of anonymity for fear of being punished, commended the current Executive Secretary, Mrs Tina Azubuike, who they said has not only sanitized the system but has also enthroned discipline, accountability, punctuality, and due process. That, accirding to them, is why most of those who previously saw themselves as sacred cows who were used to the business as usual syndrome are not happy that their wings have been clipped.That is also why they are using their friends, relatives and associates in the corridors of power to fight her with a view to ensuring that she is removed.
“But they will not succeed because she is doing a good job that will remain a reference point for a very long time.”
Responding to a question they said, “in the previous petition they wrote for which the Executive Secretary was invited by the House Committee on Education, they mentioned Mrs Abigail Nwaimo a former Principal of Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, Owerri, who was retired by the state government in line with existing rules and guidelines, this time around, they are now saying it is Mrs Abigail Nwaimo whoever it is that petitioned the House should also be invited to come with documentary evidence to prove her case because it will be unfair to invite the Executive Secretary in solution”.
The House Committee on Education should henceforth stay away from the internal affairs of SEMB and refer petitions to the relevant ministry, the office of the Head of Service or the Civil Service Commission as the case may be. After all, if the Army, customs, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps etc nab suspected criminals they refer them to the police whose duty it is to investigate and prosecute. They will not over step their bounds because apprehended the suspects”.
Recall, that the Pressman online newspaper in one of its recent publications, reported that Clerk the Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mrs C.N. Obi, in a letter she signed on behalf of the Chairman, Hon Obinna Egu.
